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#Unchilding: Stolen Childhood Allegory - Take 1 | Guitar Solo

  • Henrique Zamith

In this artistic representation, the 'Unchilding' concept manifests through the haunting melody of a classical guitar solo. The performance takes place in an empty, enclosed space, symbolizing the void and silence surrounding the issue of stolen childhoods. This setting amplifies the guitar's resonant echoes, serving as a poignant metaphor for the unheard voices of children whose innocence has been stripped away. The stark solitude of the space and the reverberating sound of the strings poetically underscore the theme of isolation and neglect experienced by these children, echoing the profound message of 'Unchilding. Presenting a profound exploration in the realm of art and social commentary, this video is a segment of a larger artistic endeavour by Henrique Zamith, a musician and guitarist. Inspired by the gripping concepts introduced in Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian's groundbreaking work, 'Incarcerated Childhood and the Politics of Unchilding', this piece delves into the intricate and often heart-wrenching narratives surrounding children's political exploitation and dehumanisation. Shalhoub-Kevorkian, a renowned Israeli-American professor and Palestinian feminist activist, serves as the Lawrence D. Biele Chair in Law at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Global Chair in Law at Queen Mary University of London. Her research, deeply embedded in trauma, state crimes, and criminology, critically engages with children's voices and experiences, particularly in the context of Israeli settler colonialism and the political machinery that renders children as racialised others, stripping them of their childhood innocence and rights​. 'Incarcerated Childhood and the Politics of Unchilding', published in 2019 by Cambridge University Press, stands as a testament to Shalhoub-Kevorkian's profound work in exposing the political violence inflicted upon colonised children. The book presents a harrowing account of how these children are constructed as dangerous entities, facilitating their removal from the sanctity of childhood. This thematic exploration resonates deeply within Zamith's video series, which is dedicated to his son, Gabriel, tragically abducted at the age of six. Zamith's poignant musical compositions, intertwined with powerful visual storytelling, seek to embody the essence of unchilding – a term that encapsulates the cruel stripping away of the innocent and carefree world that childhood ought to represent​ This video, a blend of artistic expression and a father's profound love and anguish, invites viewers into a realm where art and activism converge, shedding light on the darker aspects of childhood lived under the shadow of political and personal turmoil." This description aims to capture the essence of the video series' thematic focus, drawing on Shalhoub-Kevorkian's academic work and Zamith's personal and artistic response to his son's abduction. #Unchilding #IncarceratedChildhood #NaderaShalhoubKevorkian #ArtisticActivism #ChildhoodInCrisis #HenriqueZamith #MusicForChange #PoliticalArt #VoicesOfChildren #FightForChildhood #HumanRightsArt #ParentalLove #ArtAndActivism #SocialJusticeArt #StruggleForChildhood

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