Iraqi Memorial - Commemorating Civilian Deaths

Second Juror's Review

Juror: Cassandra Coblentz

Stephen Bailey - Counting the Cost

I found this proposal to be refreshingly innovative. I was particularly interested in the artist‘s global consideration. The issues of local and global responsibility are addressed in a poetic and dynamic way. The concept of amassing or accumulating such a loaded symbol as oil barrels is a powerful image as a symbolic gesture that references the complex global political context behind the war in Iraq while simultaneously representing the horrifying volume of civilian casualties. To imagine the scope of the concept is stunning and I appreciate the artist’s broad vision.

Alexandra Ben Simon - Eroding prayer beads

This poetic concept was one that stayed with me as I spent time looking at all of the other proposals. This simple yet powerful gesture is moving in an understated, humble way. I would even go so far as to say that in its humility it makes a bold anti-monumental political statement. It evokes the frailty of our interdependence on one another and in this way offers an innovative and creative approach to the notion of a monument.

Sara Fiore - An Inter-cultural Blogscape

I appreciated this artist’s innovative use of readily accessible technology to conceive of a project that operates on multiple levels. I like the focus on the simple act of exchange as a guiding principal of the work. I also value that it elicits engagement with American life and society and calls into question issues of responsibility and agency.

Amro Hamzawi - Iraqis Today

This project’s strength is in the artist’s sensitivity to heartbreaking images and stories of his subjects. His respectful journalistic approach is not perhaps the most creative as far as memorials go, but the power of these images and the stories behind them speaks volumes. This is an important project in that it does the necessary and surprisingly rare job of recording a history that is not widely known in the specifics, stories that are perhaps not easy to hear, but vital for us to know.

Meghan Injaychock - Ribbons of Remembrance

I found this proposal to be respectful and creative in the artist’s proposed use of materials and form. The concept of using notches to symbolize individual powerful in its ability to convey the volume of loss people have suffered as well as a powerful acknowledgment of politics of anonymity. I liked that this project also acknowledges life moving forward. It offers viewers an experience with a work of art that provides an opportunity for healing and perhaps suggests was of re-engage with regular life through transportation and everyday circulation while simultaneously remaining conscious of the losses of the war.

Farid Rakun - wrist memory compass reminder

This project is conceptually strong and creative in scope and scale. The artist’s treatment of time and measurement is straightforward and in that directness there is something beautiful in its conciseness. Its subversion of the notion of the monument is effective in its physicality yet it also deals with duration in a powerful way. The notion of a temporal continuum taking the form of a wristwatch has interesting implications for the wearer of this watch in that the fact of the ever present and increasing numbers are only acknowledged through the act of wearing— making the wearer increasingly complicit as they uphold this record keeping.

Erin Finch Stevens - A Common Thread

I appreciate the cultural sensitivity of this project. Honoring the traditions of mourning in Iraqi culture is an approach that not many of the other projects engage with and I feel deserves recognition. Furthermore the image of the black cloth moving throughout the cityscape is a powerful one. That it spans the city, moving through spaces, metaphorically and literally offers a range of meanings that are dynamic and open up possible meaning and interpretations, which is valuable.

Ehren Tool - Unbroken Vessel

I appreciate the altruistic intent of this project. That something is being made in a generative sensed is a humble way to approach this project. It is not about monumentality in the traditional sense, but yet effectively gets a something large in scope and also enlists a specific kind of engagement with a wide range of people. In addition, the symbolic value of the cup is effective as it offers insight into the notion of offering something, of giving back.

Geri Wittig - Source

There is an interesting proposed use of new media technology in this project. Using sound and original source materials is not only an effective way of disseminating people’s stories but serves the important purpose of archiving, of keeping a record of these histories. The dynamic nature of the proposed installation seems at once moving and educational.

Sayoko Yoshida - Requiem

This concept relies on the powerful imagery of the two inks blending together. It is informative and also poetic. Its strength lies in the subtle complexity of the concept and both the literal and metaphorical fluidity of the imagery. As an installation it is bold enough make an impact, yet open enough to allow for multiple levels of interpretation.