I found it to be a powerful statement on a huge problem, and a beautiful piece of artwork. It speaks to the way this country sends soldiers off to war, but ignores the problems that war causes the soldiers when they return home. There are far too many suicides among veterans, because our government won't live up to its responsibility to care for veterans, and give them the care they need and deserve.
It was displayed in a local art gallery, and that gallery didn't see things that way. They have banned Mr. Rueda from displaying any more of his art in their gallery.
I would really like to know what my readers think. Is this a powerful piece of art? Or should it be banned from public viewing? Please tell me what you think.
I want to hear from as many of you as possible -- and to that end, I will even publish anonymous comments on this one post (if that is the only way you'll comment).
I love that it is a toy "army man." I also like that it shows PTSD as something active. Clearly, retired soldiers should get whatever help they need. But I think the bigger problem is creating those awful situations to put them into in the first place. So I like the contrast -- the act of killing being a suicidal act. It's very strong.
ReplyDeleteAs for the reaction: it's typical. Since fine art is generally something that rich (and thus establishment) people must support, there is a strong tendency to want only "nice" and "non-offensive" and "apolitical" art. Of course, this is ahistorical. Art has always been political. The fact that most benefactors of the art don't know the politics of the art of 100 or 2,000 or even 40,000 years ago doesn't say anything about art and everything about them.
When the art statement is so clear and powerful that it makes people uneasy with the guilt and truth they tend to ban it.
ReplyDeleteThe banning states its truth.
Hiding problems has never made them go away, if anything it amplifies them. for some reason, we tend to hold on to the history of yesterday (some try to rewrite it) and yet we try to ignore that this time in our lives which will be the history studied tomorrow. Truth should not be hidden.
ReplyDeleteTed, i would like to include my PTSD piece. Use it or edit it out if you wish.
War kills
not just bodies
but souls
while in its wake
leaving hearts emptied
with holes
The spirit of men
ruined by trauma
it's clear
they look to tomorrow
and tremble
from fear
For what it will bring
these men
never know
often like Jekyll
and Hyde
which one will now show
War
is pure hell
for all that it touches
and there's no hiding it
with a million
airbrushes
In WWII it was called Shell Shock, in Viet Nam it was called Post Vietnam Syndrome, in 1980 we got PTSD which was not a "compensated" or "eligible for treatment" disorder until now. My friends, who were lucky enough to survive Viet Nam, came home with raging PTSD and dived under my dining table every time they heard an ambulance or fire engine. We have got to give veterans the care they deserve and fought for. I like this piece of art for the stark message it sends that we are using and abusing our soldiers when they enlist and fight for our country (even if the fight is unwarranted like the Iraq War) and abandoning them as veterans. What happens when potential enlistees decide that America isn't honoring its part of the bargain and decide not to join?
ReplyDeletethat pisses me off..it should be shown all over the counry...
ReplyDelete