U.S. Military Cabinet (boys)

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on December 21, 2015 at 10:05am

Curator’s Comments:  

 

US Military Cabinet (boys) is a forcefully constructed installation, exerting a bold figurative presence. As a contemporary sculptural totem, I’m also reminded of the much older piece by American Modernist painter Marsden Hartley, Portrait of a German Officer.  Reduced to an assemblage of military weapons and badges in both works, “he” is both dehumanized and fetishized. This may speak to the desensitization of the personal in times of war, or our expectation of conventional soldiers. While the objects in the interior of the cabinet may be essential to the iconography of this piece, I believe I prefer the closed version from a purely visual standpoint.  There is a sense of mystery in the closed container emanating colored light; the promise of an awakened force within.  While for me the expression is neither shocking nor pejorative, the absence of the whole person does make me contemplate the human casualty of patriotism when extended to military engagement.  I do hope you will post more work on the site.