Ein Prozess

En savoir plus sur le livre

In his twenty-fifth artist’s book, Volker Renner adapts the courtroom drama genre, emphasizing the power of images over dialogue. The book reflects on the high-profile trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, which captivated millions through livestreams on various platforms. The trial transformed the actors' private lives into a public spectacle, reminiscent of a reality show. Renner presents a visual narrative, dedicating chapters to each day of the 2021-2022 hearings, using film stills extracted from trial recordings. His documentary approach creates a visual transcript that invites discourse analysis, particularly in the Foucauldian tradition, exploring the impact of images in shaping public perception. The trial's allegations centered on the damage to a star's public image rather than verifiable truths, highlighting the significant influence of visual media in contemporary discourse. Ultimately, the jury sided with Depp, reflecting a public consensus. The trial, held in Fairfax County, Virginia, ruled on defamation claims, with Depp awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, while Heard received $2 million for one of her counterclaims. The proceedings featured extensive witness testimony and were presided over by Judge Penney S. Azcarate.