
The Presence of Absence
- Publisher
- Kehrer Verlag
- Year
- 2025
- ISBN
- 978-3-96900-196-7
- Specifications
- Hardcover
24 x 30 cm
192 pages
125 color illustrations
Text by Inbal Abergil, Robert G. Bean, Kathleen R. Gilbert, Caitlin Margaret Kelly, Stephen Mayes
Design by Jeffrey Jenkins Projects
The Presence of Absence, a decade-long documentary, explores trauma, loss, grief, mourning, and healing after war. Inbal Abergil combines stories of Gold Star Families, still lifes of loved ones' belongings, and portraits of Casualty Notification Officers. The still lifes show how survivors cope with loss, highlighting the dual pain and comfort of memories. The portraits depict the grim task of delivering tragic news, aiming for no mistakes to allow healing. The Four-channel video features four Gold Star Mothers discussing life after losing their sons, offering grief coping guidelines. The project invites reflection on the survivors' journey to rebuild their lives and the human cost of conflict.
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