Artwork

Fallujah - Peace Intervention 25.05.04, Victoria and Albert Museum London

Lucy Orta, 2004-2007

• Ref: 2051
• Materials: Original Lambda colour photograph backed on Dibond (ed. of 10, 2 AP)
• Dimensions: 120 x 180cm
• Exhibition history: 2007 Galerie Peter Kilchmann, Zurich; 2004 Victoria & ALbert Museum London
• Courtesy: Collection of the Artists
• Concept: Portable Protest builds upon the work we have been perusing the outbreak of the Iraqi 1st Gulf War in 1991 and the invasion of the city of Fallujah in 2003. The work Casey’s Pawns was initially commissioned by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum’s for their late night performance evenings. Held on the 25th June 2004, just five days before the hand-over of sovereignty to the Iraqi government and the pulling out of US and ailed forces, Lucy Orta staged a passive protest for peace for 50 volunteer performers wearing the specially printed combat suits. For two hours the static figures silently meditate the future fate of Iraq and its citizens amongst the tombs, sepulchres and war trophies from historical battles and combats. The 50 gold silkscreen printed army combat suits went on to be exhibited as an installation at the Gwangju Biennale in South Korea the city famous for the student protests against the dictatorial regime and now a symbol of the country's pro-democracy resistance, a movement with special poignancy in light of the political situation that still divides the peninsula. The work also formed part of the installation, designed by Lucy + Jorge Orta for the verbatim play Fallujah directed by Dr Jonathan Holmes which was staged at the ICA in London in 2007.