Miklós Klaus Rózsa

What is it about?

Documentation and surveillance clash in the artist publication «Miklós Klaus Rózsa»: Photographs by Rózsa are combined with surveillance records compiled by homeland security over 28 years.

The record contains about 3500 typed A4 sheets which are supplemented by hand written notes. Before their release to the persons involved, large parts of the documents were blacked out. Next to the records of demonstrations and political events it contains press articles, pictures and notes of monitored telephone conversations. The content of the documents alternate between bureaucratic language and a hostile tone towards the monitored individuals.

The counterpart to the files is Miklós Klaus Rózsa’s photography. Originated in the notion of autonomous coverage, it stands for another sight, another truth to the normative position of the press. It is an extensive archive built up over years, documenting the history of the left between 1971 and 2000. Apart from a documentary purpose, Rózsa’s photography was also a political act. Or, how a surveillance operator precisely observed and noted in the record: «Retains assaults by the police in all elaborations and constrains thereby the work of the police.»

Through collaging the historical material, new images arise, telling the story of an eventful time from two opposing perspectives. On one side the perspective from inside of the movement through Rózsa’s photographs, and on the other side the uncomprehending perspective of the movement through the surveillance records of the police.

The book

The 350-400 page book in A4 format contains analogue produced montages based on selected surveillance records and photographs by Rózsa. A particular and subjective narration of the events between 1971 and 1989 through montages of photographs by Rózsa and surveillance records about him. 1500 copies of the publication will be self published by cpress in January 2014.

Why we need your support

The production costs for the book adds up to 30000 swiss francs (24000 Euro). In order to pay fair fees and other costs there will be more money needed. Only a part of the budget will be financed by foundations. Back the production of this extensive publication with a contribution. Thanks a lot!