This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.

Mesmerizing and unsettling, the immersive video Incoming (2014–2017) by Richard Mosse (b. 1980) presents viewers with the sights and sounds of a pressing issue of our time: mass migration. Seeking a new way to shed light on the refugee crisis and “the urgent narratives of human displacement,” Mosse and cinematographer Trevor Tweeten capture fragments of events along two major pathways leading into Europe—one from Africa, the other from the Middle East—using a highly specialized surveillance camera. Originally designed for military use, the camera produces images by detecting thermal radiation, including the heat of a human body, from as far as 18 miles away. The effect allows Mosse to walk a tightrope, exposing the intimate stories of these refugees while providing a veil of privacy, isolating the plight of individuals while underscoring their interconnectedness with all humanity.

Projected on three large screens, Incoming is accompanied by a score composed of ambient sound by Ben Frost. A recent acquisition purchased with funds from the Collectors Committee and a gift from Robert B. Menschel, the 52-minute long video work is accompanied by nine photographic stills from the film.

The installation is curated by Sarah Greenough, senior curator and head of the department of photographs, and Andrea Nelson, associate curator, department of photographs, with technical assistance from Brian Dooda, audiovisual systems specialist, department of media production.

Originally scheduled to close on April 5, 2020, the installation closed early when the COVID-19 pandemic museum closure began on April 14, 2020.

Organization: Organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington

Sponsors: Made possible through the generous support of the Trellis Fund.

Passes: Admission is always free and passes are not required