Adleraugen über Afghanistan

A war can be viewed from many perspectives. The German Tank Museum has a very land-based view of war due to its theme. "Eagle Eyes over Afghanistan" is a change of perspective that one would hardly expect from a tank museum, as the special exhibition shows the view of German aerial reconnaissance on the country in the Hindu Kush region.

The Reconnaissance Squadron 51 "Immelmann" presents nearly 60 photographs from the mission in Afghanistan to the public. These photographs captivate the viewer in a twofold and contradictory way: on one hand, they are tools from the deployment in Afghanistan and thus tangible sources of recent military history - they inevitably inspire critical questioning, reflection, and discussion. At the same time, they also fascinate with their own artistic-photographic aesthetic, which arises from the combination of a fascinating environment on one hand and excellent optical recording devices on the other. They show a country from an aerial perspective.

The special exhibition "Eagle Eyes over Afghanistan" challenges visitors to engage with this tension. Can one enjoy an aesthetic that has emerged in and for a violent conflict? Can both aspects be separated? Or must both always be thought of as inseparable? Must one deny the beauty of the photos because they were created for planning military actions? The exhibition does not provide answers. Visitors are invited to find their own answers to these questions.

The special exhibition "Eagle Eyes over Afghanistan" can be seen at the German Tank Museum in Munster until mid-August.