• feature
  • 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.

  • PERMALINK
  • PRINT
  • Digg This
  • Email To A Friend
 

Previous

PAGE: 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

 ... 11

Next

Comments
TheFuckOffKid

TheFuckOffKid

NEWSWIRE

Australia

MAY 28, 2007 05:13 AM

teddy__kgb

teddy__kgb

Albuquerque, NM
February 2007

MAY 28, 2007 05:35 AM

bite me. if you really have that much of a problem, get an administrator on my ass. otherwise, do piss off. its a fucking message board, and i was having a discussion with someone else. you can carry on simultaneous discussions, and disregard mine. SO, PISS OFF.

TheFuckOffKid

TheFuckOffKid

NEWSWIRE

Australia

MAY 28, 2007 05:41 AM

I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie I like pie.

teddy__kgb

teddy__kgb

Albuquerque, NM
February 2007

MAY 28, 2007 05:44 AM

really, i prefer cobbler.

dufsmashXIII

dufsmashXIII

Eureka, IL
December 2005

MAY 28, 2007 06:24 AM

i think Bilal is making a fantastic statement with this piece. it says a lot to me about what is going on in the world today. i hope he finishes. i don't want to shoot though. i wish he would have used red... but that is probably to much.

Lockeblade

Lockeblade

Australia
May 2007

MAY 28, 2007 06:26 AM

Does anyone else find it suspect that there's no paint on any of the walls or belongings despite being shot at with paint balls for a month? I appreciate the sentiment but it loses some of the impact if it's not real.

DorianChrist

DorianChrist

United Kingdom
January 2006

MAY 28, 2007 07:40 AM

Reminds me of the film "Cradle of Fear". There was a website in that movie where for a couple of grand, people could pay to mutilate and hurt someone in a room that had a webcam connection (called the "Sick Room"). It was your choice of weapon, with price proportionately linked to the sadistic "value" of the weapon used, from a punch or a kick, all the way up to a bullet in the knee or a chainsaw (if my memory serves me correctly). For anyone who's seen that movie, I didn't shoot at the guy. biggrin puke

And yes, I'm aware of the slightly worrying connection I just made, my mind must be warped from too many horror movies. biggrin

ReapTheFearer

ReapTheFearer

I'm lost
December 2005

MAY 28, 2007 08:07 AM

Imagician said:
Does anyone else find it suspect that there's no paint on any of the walls or belongings despite being shot at with paint balls for a month? I appreciate the sentiment but it loses some of the impact if it's not real.



The paint is off white and you can see it dripping down the walls in the you tube videos

DanteAlighieri

DanteAlighieri

Chandler, AZ
April 2004

MAY 28, 2007 09:21 AM

Very interesting. I can't even imagine shooting him.
What is odd though, is that if this was set up by some goofball kid who just got done posting a vid of himself on youtube doing something stupid, it would be a lot more enjoyable. Hey! What about one placed in Paris Hilton's cell, wonder how many online "hits" she'd get

artpie

artpie

Winston Salem, NC
December 2003

MAY 28, 2007 09:31 AM

make art... not war

Chainlink

Chainlink

Key West, FL
August 2005

MAY 28, 2007 10:02 AM

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.




You make me fucking sick to my stomach.

Oh ! and completely embarassed that you serve our country.

_DictionaryGirl_

_DictionaryGirl_

NEWSWIRE

San Diego, CA

MAY 28, 2007 10:19 AM

Suddenly I actually feel a little bad about even so much as playing Duck Hunt. blackeyed

handsome_rob

handsome_rob

Burlington, IA
May 2004

MAY 28, 2007 10:35 AM

oh man, i just nailed him in the face. now i'll feel bad about that all day.

an interesting venture, though. makes a point when you realize you've just shot someone from your bedroom.

teddy__kgb

teddy__kgb

Albuquerque, NM
February 2007

MAY 28, 2007 01:47 PM

chainlink 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.




You make me fucking sick to my stomach.

Oh ! and completely embarassed that you serve our country.



...as opposed to the soldiers who dont share his point of view? or do all soldiers make you sick to your stomach? YOURE embarrased that HE serves the country? please explain this one to me? do we not need soldiers? would you do a better job? oh, sorry, i forgot, you DONT serve our country in this manner, yet you feel the need to criticze him for doing it. im not down with the politics of this war, nor do i feel the need to blindly support our troops. however, assuming you have never been a soldier, your criticism is based on what? this guy is courageous enough to put his life on the line for your first-world liberties, albeit at the orders of a corrupt and immoral boss, and you are courageous enough to slam him for it on a message board. i think i know who makes me sick to my stomach.

Bastardo

Bastardo

Boston, MA
January 2005

MAY 28, 2007 02:34 PM

spinysquid said:

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

chainlink 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.




You make me fucking sick to my stomach.

Oh ! and completely embarassed that you serve our country.



...as opposed to the soldiers who dont share his point of view? or do all soldiers make you sick to your stomach? YOURE embarrased that HE serves the country? please explain this one to me? do we not need soldiers? would you do a better job? oh, sorry, i forgot, you DONT serve our country in this manner, yet you feel the need to criticze him for doing it. im not down with the politics of this war, nor do i feel the need to blindly support our troops. however, assuming you have never been a soldier, your criticism is based on what? this guy is courageous enough to put his life on the line for your first-world liberties, albeit at the orders of a corrupt and immoral boss, and you are courageous enough to slam him for it on a message board. i think i know who makes me sick to my stomach.



I guess this is a reading-comprehension free zone too!

Previous

PAGE: 

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

 ... 11

Next

featured interviews