Fear
Reflection on our nation’s response to the 9/11 attack. Ten symbols address issues including the manipulation of information, ownership of knowledge, validity of truth and ways communication manifests cultural identity.
All materials used in the prints originated from recycled materials–printing plates from recycled drawing table covers, paper from recycled blotter paper. This decision was in response to the United States President encouraging us to “go shopping”, “live normally” rather than reflect on the imperialist practices that encouraged the attack on our nation.
Media: Relief printing
Size: 8.75 x 11.25 x 1″ (22 x 29 x 3 cm)
Edition: 4. Available as individual prints. One boxed set. One bound set
Date: 2002
Descriptions:
Wedge
The victim is truth when ideological battles are fought with wedges. Ideas should not be feared. Ignorance must be resisted and exposed.
Decisions
Paths to understanding complex issues are not black & white and not limited to right or wrong. Prepackaged rationales often limit choice and come with an agenda. We need to ask difficult questions and choose our own path.
Line
Dialogue and debate is not a straight line and should not be controlled by the ends. Listening is required. Failure to debate has led to mindless flag-waving and a senseless march to war.
Plan
Working together is required to solve complex problems. Understanding how the parts work is a good beginning. People of the world are not alike. No nation should force its beliefs on another.
Equation
We need to want the truth. Truth is not what we want to believe or what we want to be true. Beliefs have consequences; people in other lands suffer from our delusion.
Map
A flat-earth mentality is running our country. Decisions that disregard global humanity fuel military build-up, preemptive war, isolationism, anti-science agendas, and fundamentalist behavior.
Message
The reasons for attacking other nations shouldn’t change based on opinion polls. Misinformation by our government is plainly anti-democratic. The citizenry should not need to separate fact from fiction regarding what matters.
Network
If we only listen to ourselves we are not communicating. We need more communication, less one-way information. Information is not communication. Information is a point of view often used as a substitute for the truth.
Sever
When our actions disregard understanding and compassion we sever a connection to our own humanity. War is not the will of the people. Silence supports the injustice and the killing.
Filter
Politicians have sold us a war and mainstream media has glamorized the unfiltered propaganda. Hard questions from the fringe are framed unpatriotic. Forces at work are reducing democracy to puppetry.