Belfast Reliable News

Belfast Reliable News. Book Launch and Presentation with Sabine Troendle

13th-15th February 2025

"Trained as a photographer, I aim to create a single photograph that encapsulates an entire story. Although I have not yet achieved this goal, I increasingly rely on words to convey my narratives. My latest work, the second book in the Reliable News series, adopts a more documentary style, presenting a new field for me to explore." www.sabine-troendle.ch

Sabine Troendle is a Swiss photographer and artist currently based in Belfast. Her primary focus is understanding her surroundings through long-term projects, immersing herself in the life of the environments, topics, and societies she explores. For instance, in her project on flight attendants, she underwent training and worked with Swissair for several years. In her first book of the Reliable News series, she relocated to Austin, Texas, to investigate her perceptions of life in a Southern U.S. state.

Since the launch of Texas Reliable News in 2015, the second book in the series, titled Belfast Reliable News, has recently become available in print. The Reliable News scheme explores the cultural and political dimensions of foreign societies, with Troendles latest instalment focusing specifically on the enduring divisions in the north of Ireland. This book offers a nuanced examination of daily life in a community shaped by conflict.

In 2017, the artist travelled to Belfast to work on a project about divided societies. "After several exhibitions, I realised I had only scratched the surface of the topic and decided to relocate to immerse myself in the everyday life of Belfast. From my outsider's perspective, my understanding of the community's stories might differ from that of the locals. My views might highlight aspects that locals no longer notice, though I may lack the deeper meaning behind them. I don't strive for impartiality or balance between the narratives of the two communities, as I don’t identify as a journalist. Each story I share adds to my understanding of the complexities I’ve encountered."

Throughout 18 chapters, the book delves into a range of important topics, including identity, which significantly shapes events in Northern Ireland; reconciliation, illustrated by meetings between perpetrator and victim; arts and culture, particularly the role of community art; the disappearance of individuals during the troubles and its ongoing impact on families today; and architecture and city planning, looking at how the army and the state exert control over urban spaces. These themes, among others, weave a rich narrative of the social landscape in the north of Ireland.

"Throughout this experience, I Inavigated the intricacies of the narratives around me. As I revisited my research material, it became clear that my storytelling served not just to inform potential audiences but also to deepen my own comprehension. By sharing my experiences and observations through a monthly broadcast, I created a space for reflection—for myself and for others who might engage with my work." Sabine Troendle

Image: page 102/103 of Belfast Reliable News; © Sabine Troendle, 2024, Limited edition of 300 copies, 282 pages, photography and text.

Summary of the Panel Discussion on 13th February 2025

Between Documentation and Personal Experience – A conversation between Sabine Troendle and Sandi Paucic at StudioK3

On the occasion of Troendle's new publication a panel discussoin took place between the author / artist and Swiss art historian and K3 co-curator Sandi Paucic. The event provided insights into Sabine Troendle's working methods, her motivations, and the challenges of living and working in Belfast.

Sabine Troendle has lived and worked in the Northern Irish capital for years. Her photography and texts are closely linked to her personal experiences—she immerses herself in the reality of the city, documenting everyday life and the complex social and political structures that still shape Belfast. She emphasizes that she does not act as an external observer but engages in long-term projects that often involve intense personal experiences. "I don’t just want to look from the outside; I want to understand what it means to live here," she explains.

In conversation with Paucic, Troendle reflected on her methodology, which lies somewhere between documentary photography, research, and artistic reflection. It became clear that Belfast Reliable News is not a conventional journalistic work but rather a subjective processing of her archive. The photographs illustrate her texts, and together they create a compelling portrait of the city that conveys more than just facts. “For me, it’s about making sense of everything I’ve gathered and experienced,” says Troendle.

A central aspect of her work is the use of language and perception. Her book includes a small glossary of terms that reflect her perspective while also highlighting the political sensitivity of terminology in Northern Ireland. These distinctions are crucial in a city where identity and language are deeply intertwined with the history of conflict, the artist pointed out. Troendle shared personal encounters that illustrate how deep the divisions between communities still run—whether through interviews that were canceled for political reasons or everyday conversations where words must be chosen carefully.

One particularly fascinating topic was her description of an art project by former IRA fighters who placed large messages on Black Mountain to communicate political statements—an alternative form of expression that bypasses traditional media. These actions, Troendle explained, demonstrate how strongly people in Belfast still struggle over interpretation and the right to be heard.

When asked whether she is optimistic about Northern Ireland’s future, Troendle expressed mixed feelings. On the one hand, a new generation is emerging that is less focused on old conflicts; on the other hand, many societal structures remain deeply divided. The high number of religiously segregated schools is an example of how difficult it is to bring about long-term change. Additionally, she has witnessed more violence during her time in Belfast than ever before, fueling her skepticism. "It doesn't take much for things to escalate in everyday life. But people are used to peace, fragile as it might be, I don't believe they have an appetite to go back to a full-scale war," she said thoughtfully.