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  • SUNDAY MAY 27 2007 6:00 PM

Iraqi Invites the Internet to Shoot Him

Submitted by Subrosa

Edited by erin_broadley

Tags: Iraq, Wafaa Bilal, paintball, Duck Hunt



What a nice way to spend a relaxing holiday weekend. A beer by your side, a burger in your belly, a ball game on the tube… and the ability to pump an Iraqi full of paint at your fingertips.

Iraqi born Wafaa Bilal has become known for provocative interactive video installations. Many of Bilal’s projects over the past few years have addressed the dichotomy of the virtual vs. the real. He attempts to keep in mind the relationship of the viewer to the artwork, with one of his main objectives transforming the normally passive experience of viewing art into an active participation. In Domestic Tension, viewers can log onto the internet to contact, or shoot, Bilal with paintball guns.


It’s simultaneously one of the most interesting, entertaining and disturbing performance art pieces I’ve ever seen. For the next week, viewers can log on to Mr. Bilal’s blog, aim the camera attached to a paintball gun at (or away from) Bilal, and squeeze off a few rounds. It’s kind of like Duck Hunt, but with real people. Good times abound, right?

Not exactly. As Bilal explains in this rather sobering Chicago Tribune piece, he began this project as a response to the U.S. military’s practice of firing rockets at Iraqi targets remotely from places within the United States. He argues that this practice desensitizes its participants to the destructive and terrible realities of war and contributes to American apathy towards Iraqi casualties.

Bilal knows of those harsh realities and mounting casualties all too well.

Wafaa Bilal was born in Iraq on June 10, 1966. Because a member of his family had been accused of disloyalty to his country, Wafaa was denied the opportunity to pursue his dream of being an artist. Instead, he was to attend college to major in geography. While in college, he continued to pursue his art and was arrested and tortured for his political art work against Sadaam Hussein. Shortly after the Gulf War, Wafaa was inspired by President Bush’s message to the Iraqi citizens that if they attempted to overthrow Sadaam, the US would stand behind them. He became involved in organizing opposition to the government and was scheduled for arrest and execution when he escaped into Kuwait. There he was accused of being a spy and was close to being shot when his student ID convinced them he told the truth. Wafaa was sent to a refugee camp on the Kuwaiti border.
[…]
In 1992, Wafaa came to the United States and took classes to learn English… Two months ago, his 21 year old brother who was staunchly apolitical lost his life to stray American gunfire. A few weeks ago, he lost his father whose health deteriorated after the death of his youngest son. It has been 14 years since he was last able to see his mother and younger siblings. He speaks to them on the phone to hear how they flee from one war torn city to another in an effort to find safety.


Living under constant fire has clearly taken its toll on Bilal, who seemed a bit frazzled but confident in his day one video blog...


...22 days later, he’s on the verge of a mental breakdown.

Bilal speaks of “the gun” ruling his life. It’s hanging over him like the Sword of Damocles and he is paying a steep psychological price for every round. It’s enough to make me feel a bit sheepish about the two or three shots I took at him initially and downright terrible for the millions of Iraqi citizens who live under a much more fatal and permanent threat. In that sense, Bilal’s work here is (pardon the term) right on target.

Perhaps Subrosa will stick to Duck Hunt.

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Comments
Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

MAY 27, 2007 11:49 PM

DrStinkypants said:

Subrosa said:

klopnuts said:
The simple explination is that this war has only one side wearing uniforms. So you have to assume that everyone is the enemy. There life is meaningless unless its Your family or clan.


That is despicable. While can't pretend to know what war is like, I agree with Kungfoo. It is you who has been dehumanized. Your argument essentially boils down to "there are no innocent Iraqis." If that's the case, why are we there to "save" them?



What the hell are you talking about? There to "save" them? That's either willfully igonorant or just plain stupid.



OK. Maybe "save" them is the wrong term. But that doesn't change his argument. He's saying that Bilal represents the enemy simply by virtue of him being an Iraqi.

klopnuts

klopnuts

Beaverdam, OH
January 2007

MAY 27, 2007 11:53 PM

emotedcreations said:

klopnuts said:
The simple explination is that this war has only one side wearing uniforms. So you have to assume that everyone is the enemy. There life is meaningless unless its Your family or clan. They have been desensitized by violence all around. They learn early that life is short. So with the way they live, Im inclined to believe Mr. Bilal isnt bothered nearly as much as he is projecting.

It worries me that people like you represent this country... puke No life is meaningless...



I never said life is meaningless. I said "there" as in "over there" not "their". life is the only important thing.

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

MAY 27, 2007 11:54 PM

klopnuts said:
Mr Bilal is trying to show that americans all want to shoot iraqis.


I vehemently disagree and have no idea how you could come to that conclusion. In my view, Bilal is trying to show both the psychological effects of war among those who are caught in the crossfire while questioning certain tactics used during war. He is not, under any circumstances, trying to show that "all Americans" want to do anything. In fact, if you'd actually look at his work, you'd see that it shows that there are plenty of Americans who don't want to shoot him.

And for me to have a reaction to something that i see as anti troop should not be disturbing at all. It should be expected. Keep in mind the freedoms in this country allow anyone to find anything offensive and have a reaction to it. positive or negative


You are free to react in your way, and I am free to react in turn.

teddy__kgb

teddy__kgb

Albuquerque, NM
February 2007

MAY 28, 2007 12:00 AM

klopnuts said:

spinysquid said:

klopnuts said:

Subrosa said:

klopnuts said:
Ive been to iraq. people are only shot by soldiers when they are doing something wrong. something like, oh I don't know, trying to kill me! So this gentelman is just trying to stir up anti soldier sentiment. Support our troops, eve the assholes like me.



First off, let me earnestly commend you on your military service.

Beyond that, what you've said here is a load of utter shit. To pretend that there aren't innocent Iraqi casualties is completely asinine. Moreover, the idea that an artist who is attempting to show the human cost of war is somehow "anti-troop" is not only insulting but completely wrong. This installment is anything but anti-troop. It's (loosely) anti-war and definitely anti-dehumanization of Iraqi citizens. They are not at all the same thing.

I suggest you seriously think about why you've come to the conclusion that someone suggesting that innocent people are under considerable stress during wartime is an affront to the troops.



I have seen the human cost of war. On both sides. But more civilians have died due to roadside bombs than due to american soldiers shooting them. And to try to un-dehumanize iraqis is not a good idea. In every war we have dehumanized the enemy. it makes what we do acceptable. we should just accept that war is hell and where ever it is fought there will be casualties. and considering that region has been fighting themselves since christ walked the earth makes me able to sleep.



'in every war we have dehumanized the enemy. it makes what we do acceptable...' these are your words. i am torn between appreciating and saluting what you do in the military, and criticizing the general viewpoint that 'dehumanizing the enemy' is ok. i understand you are putting your life on the line for all of our first-world freedoms, but it is incumbent upon military leaders to at least BEGIN to understand the cultural root of these problems. i also realize, in my own rudimentary knowledge of the areas historical and cultural history, that many creeds and faiths have been at each others throats for millenia. there is something large at stake for these populations, and to gloss over these profound and complex issues with...'and considering that region has been fighting themselves since christ walked the earth makes me able to sleep...' represents an american attitude which does nothing but compound the problem. dont kid yourself, though, were not over there because 'its the right thing to do'. were over there because it profits a very few rich, white men to make war. their similar lack of cultural awareness has trickled down the ranks, so to speak. you serve them and their immoral ends, yet at the same time you ACTUALLY ARE helping protect first-world liberties...is it ironic? yes. you know what the man said, though, war is hell...



Please dont misunderstand. I do NOT support this war. I dislike the fact that we have been sent to a country where we have no reason for being.
My leaders try to stress what they understand about the culture. Troops on the ground interact with Iraqi Army and Police. and for the most part try to understand what we can. But they see us as a cash cow because when the US fucks anything up as bad as they have Iraq we throw money at the problem untill it goes away.
And what Im serving by choice is you and your rights. What I serve by duty is their orders.



i understand this.

klopnuts

klopnuts

Beaverdam, OH
January 2007

MAY 28, 2007 12:01 AM

He's saying that Bilal represents the enemy simply by virtue of him being an Iraqi.

What Im saying is you have to assume. Not that you have to act upon any assumption. Its the same as any cop on a routine traffic stop assumes your doing something else wrong.

klopnuts

klopnuts

Beaverdam, OH
January 2007

MAY 28, 2007 12:02 AM

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

MAY 28, 2007 12:07 AM

klopnuts said:

He's saying that Bilal represents the enemy simply by virtue of him being an Iraqi.



What Im saying is you have to assume. Not that you have to act upon any assumption. Its the same as any cop on a routine traffic stop assumes your doing something else wrong.



I'm not doubting the legitimacy of your survival instinct. That's fine. You do what you have to do. But at some point you have to recognize that there are people who don't deserve to die getting killed over there. And that, you know, kind of sucks. And pointing out that it sucks in no way is "anti-troop."

_kungfoo_

_kungfoo_

Los Angeles, CA
April 2005

MAY 28, 2007 12:12 AM

klopnuts said:
Mr Bilal is trying to show that americans all want to shoot iraqis. which in turn would go to show when you put a large number of armed alpha males (and females) in a country, they kill anything that moves which is not the case by any means.



Actually, I think he was making trying to make a statement on the military's use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles armed with missiles routinely used in the middle east that are operated remotely from the Nevada desert. The MQ-9 Reaper for one example. What I think is funny is that you made the generalization that "all Americans want to shoot Iraqis".

emotedcreations

emotedcreations

Germany
July 2006

MAY 28, 2007 12:15 AM

klopnuts said:

emotedcreations said:

klopnuts said:
The simple explination is that this war has only one side wearing uniforms. So you have to assume that everyone is the enemy. There life is meaningless unless its Your family or clan. They have been desensitized by violence all around. They learn early that life is short. So with the way they live, Im inclined to believe Mr. Bilal isnt bothered nearly as much as he is projecting.

It worries me that people like you represent this country... puke No life is meaningless...



I never said life is meaningless. I said "there" as in "over there" not "their". life is the only important thing.

Yes, I understand the difference between "there" and "their", thank you. You still said "live is meaningless" with all it's implications...

klopnuts

klopnuts

Beaverdam, OH
January 2007

MAY 28, 2007 12:16 AM

Subrosa said:

klopnuts said:

He's saying that Bilal represents the enemy simply by virtue of him being an Iraqi.



What Im saying is you have to assume. Not that you have to act upon any assumption. Its the same as any cop on a routine traffic stop assumes your doing something else wrong.



I'm not doubting the legitimacy of your survival instinct. That's fine. You do what you have to do. But at some point you have to recognize that there are people who don't deserve to die getting killed over there. And that, you know, kind of sucks. And pointing out that it sucks in no way is "anti-troop."



No, but trying to show that all americans only want to kill Iraqis is anti troop.
There are needless deaths. I will not say otherwise. But I still dont see how having people online shooting you with a paintball gun is showing that innocent Iraqis are dying.

emotedcreations

emotedcreations

Germany
July 2006

MAY 28, 2007 12:19 AM

KUNGFOO said:
What I think is funny is that you made the generalization that "all Americans want to shoot Iraqis".

I really like your take on the unmanned thing.

emotedcreations

emotedcreations

Germany
July 2006

MAY 28, 2007 12:21 AM

klopnuts said:
No, but trying to show that all americans only want to kill Iraqis is anti troop.
There are needless deaths. I will not say otherwise. But I still dont see how having people online shooting you with a paintball gun is showing that innocent Iraqis are dying.

This doesn't even make sense.

Subrosa

Subrosa

San Francisco, CA
July 2004

MAY 28, 2007 12:22 AM

klopnuts said:

Subrosa said:

klopnuts said:

He's saying that Bilal represents the enemy simply by virtue of him being an Iraqi.



What Im saying is you have to assume. Not that you have to act upon any assumption. Its the same as any cop on a routine traffic stop assumes your doing something else wrong.



I'm not doubting the legitimacy of your survival instinct. That's fine. You do what you have to do. But at some point you have to recognize that there are people who don't deserve to die getting killed over there. And that, you know, kind of sucks. And pointing out that it sucks in no way is "anti-troop."



No, but trying to show that all americans only want to kill Iraqis is anti troop.


Except it doesn't and he isn't.

There are needless deaths. I will not say otherwise.


Uh, yes you will, apparently.

But I still dont see how having people online shooting you with a paintball gun is showing that innocent Iraqis are dying.


Really, if that's what you think he's trying to show, I suggest you take some more time to spend on the site and think about what he's actually doing here.

klopnuts

klopnuts

Beaverdam, OH
January 2007

MAY 28, 2007 12:24 AM

My apologies for thinking you misread what was written. But many of them have had people around them disappear in the middle of the night(or shot in the street).

teddy__kgb

teddy__kgb

Albuquerque, NM
February 2007

MAY 28, 2007 12:40 AM

emotedcreations said:

klopnuts said:

emotedcreations said:

klopnuts said:
The simple explination is that this war has only one side wearing uniforms. So you have to assume that everyone is the enemy. There life is meaningless unless its Your family or clan. They have been desensitized by violence all around. They learn early that life is short. So with the way they live, Im inclined to believe Mr. Bilal isnt bothered nearly as much as he is projecting.

It worries me that people like you represent this country... puke No life is meaningless...



I never said life is meaningless. I said "there" as in "over there" not "their". life is the only important thing.

Yes, I understand the difference between "there" and "their", thank you. You still said "live is meaningless" with all it's implications...



what he said, loosely paraphrased, is this: to an 'insurgent iraqi' any life outside of his own and his immediate familys, is immaterial or meaningless. hes merely pointing out an observation based on first-hand experience, not expressing the view that life is meaningless...in that sentence, anyway. if he offers a a nihlistic or misanthropic viewpoint it is that 'dehumanizing the enemy is part of war.' while you may disagree with the military teaching this ideal, it does exist. klopnuts is trained to think like this because he is at war. while war does suck, and life is precious everywhere, dehumanizing the enemy is a wartime strategy used by every side. he is loosely trying to point out that 'life is worth less', because on a base political level, so many more are taken in their culture on a daily basis. so, while what they are fighting for takes on a sense of overwhelming importance to their culture, each life is politically 'cheaper' if you will. it is a political point of view, and he definately understands the situation better than any of us who havent experienced it first hand. we will never understand it fully until our lives are at risk on a daily basis. it is the main political thrust of any anti-american terrorist, or any guerilla, to make the decadent consumer (you and me) feel as vulnerable as possible, so we might understand exactly how 'cheap' life is in the second and third worlds, and how they view our protected, first-world lives as blasphemous, unliveable and criminal. is it envy or hatred, or is it maybe a sane frame of mind?? i dont believe as first world citizens we can understand it further than words unless we experience it first-hand, as klopnuts has. some islamic factions take their politics to the extreme, believing it is only justifiable and right in the eyes of allah to take the life of a jew, and a christian on a daily or weekly basis, because they are in the way of 'progressive' islamic ideals.

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