Enemy Encounters
Event Name: Libya: Enmity and Allegiance in a Decade of ConflictVenue/Location: Imperial War Museum Panel
Date: 19th July 2021 -
Imperial War Museum, Cardiff University,
Chair/Other Speakers:
Asma Khalifa, Inga Kristina Trauthig, Dr Karin von Hippel
In July 2021, the Imperial War Museums (IWM) and Cardiff University hosted the Enemy Encounters Online Conference. The event examined how "the enemy" has been perceived and represented from 1800 to the present day.
A highlight was the opening panel, Libya: Enmity and Allegiance in a Decade of Conflict, co-chaired by artist David Cotterrell and curator Iris Veysey. This session brought together experts like Dr Karin von Hippel and Asma Khalifa to reflect on the legacy of the Arab Spring and Britain's evolving role in Libya's decade-long conflict.
This three-day symposium, part of the Strange Meetings project, explored the changing definitions of ‘the foe’ through history, psychology, and museums. By connecting historical archives with personal experiences, the conference examined how digital media and modern warfare have altered our perceptions and interactions with adversaries.
David Cotterrell, lead researcher and co-chair, offered a unique perspective on conflict zones. As an installation artist, he moderated the Libya session, focusing on the ethical challenges of documenting war. He examined how first-person narratives from North Africa and the Middle East could be integrated into the IWM’s contemporary archive to accurately represent civil unrest and international intervention.