Social project · Documentary photography
Hell with a Filter
Dedicated to the memory of Michal Sela
Not every murder begins with a slap
On the feed, everything looks perfect — a smile, a drink, a happy selfie. No one sees that a moment earlier he was going through her phone. "Hell with a Filter" is a documentary photography project that captures both sides of the same evening: what actually happened, and the picture that was posted online.
A moment before the first blow
Most of the fight against violence toward women begins after the first blow. This project wants to arrive a moment before it — to teach people to recognize the red flags that light up on the way to an abusive relationship: going through a phone, dictating what she wears, isolating her from her surroundings, locking the door, verbal and psychological abuse. All of these appear long before a hand is raised.
Michal Sela's case taught us how urgent this is: the first blow was also the last. Michal experienced no physical violence from the man who murdered her — until the day he murdered her.
The filter
Right after the murder I went onto Michal's Facebook and saw what everyone saw: a wonderful, romantic, healthy relationship. The gap between what was and what appeared to be — that is exactly where this project works.
For every scene in the series, two photographs are taken: the "red flag", the real moment, and beside it an "Instagram photo" — a happy selfie, in the same clothes and the same place. In the exhibition, the Instagram photos wait at the end of the route on a screen that mimics a feed, so every visitor feels just how easy it is to miss.
The series
These photographs are from the project's shoot. They move chronologically — from an ordinary evening at a bar, through control that tightens, into the home. As the relationship darkens, the colour drains away, down to black and white.
All photographs © Sharon Gabay · The scenes were staged and shot with actors, for illustration and awareness.
Where it's headed
The goal is to reach as many people as possible, with an emphasis on teenagers, students and young adults — an audience the language of photography speaks to more than any lecture. The aim: to show the exhibition at the Knesset, at conferences, in galleries and public buildings, and above all in high schools and universities, in Israel and abroad.
Looking for a partner to make it real
The project is done entirely on a volunteer basis, accompanied by Lily Ben Ami — Michal's sister — and dedicated to her memory.
To turn the idea into an exhibition that travels the country, I'm looking for an organization or social body to adopt the project, lead it and fund it. The partner organization will be the project's home: it will choose the launch venue, deliver the keynote at the opening, and be credited in every publication. Any budget that remains, and any profit — will be donated.
If this speaks to you — let's talk
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