As I walked into the Arlington Arts Center I had somewhat of an idea of what this work would be like from the prior lecture. The collaboration of the three artists is what holds the piece together for me. It gives three different takes on the same topic of political/ religious crisis in which we have grown far to comfortable with. I feel the documentation of 9/11 and current state of things are very important events to talk about. Although with such a big topic how does one articulate it without becoming overwhelmed.
The piece works as story line and travels through the countries shambles after 9/11. While the work creates it’s own world that parallels reality. The biggest problem I had with the piece would be it’s lack of subtleties and which for me turned into propaganda. The work then becomes exactly what it’s commenting on which I didn’t feel was the most positive message. As the viewer I would like to experience something less didactic and more open ended.
Even though I found my holes with the piece I did enjoy the grave which consisted of six TV’s buried in a “ton” of dirt. It comments on the death of a country through media in presented in a very effective way. As it recontextulized both TV and the information that we receive from it.
The one thing I walked away feeling was a sense of urgency. A sense of urgency to wake up and pay attention to whats happening in this country and how desensitized we have become from the media and it’s propaganda. But, at same time is using propaganda to fight propaganda the right approach?
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