The PaintBall project day 23

wafaabilal.com
Iraqi born artist 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. In Domestic Tension, viewers can log onto the internet to contact, or shoot, Bilal with paintball gun

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Iraq
• war
• Iraqi
• artist
• paintball
• game
• interacitve
• wafaa
• bilal
• domestic
• tension

[Salsien]

"I wish you and your family much peace and happiness!"

"I lost my brother and he was killed by American soldiers in Najaf, and I lost my father two months after that." <-Bilal's family. They sure are "happy", thanks to you Americans.

[tj5311]

I shot you 15 times and, to be honest, cant stop laughing.

I'm going back to shoot you some more.

[Kon3ko]

Wha...? <.<

[Kon3ko]

Good luck, Wafaa! Hope you get through this okay! I couldn't say this on the chat (it doesn't work right for me) but I admire you because instead of hating the people who show hatred toward you, you feel sadness. I wish I had your spirit and resolve. You are someone that all Americans should look up to. :D

[tylam78]

AGREED...

[carlota1228]

Hi. I just learned about this experiential art project last night. I thought "what the heck?" When I first started watching, I shot the gun. Twice. It was just a video thing. But then I started to feel really bad that I shot the gun. You became real. I think that's the lesson here. War becomes real. So thank you. Again, I am sorry I shot the gun twice.

[feverdemon]

Dear Wafaa,

I have the deepest respect and admiration for your project and I would not dare to question you, but I am wondering why you would shield us from something "disturbing". Isn't that what causes some of the disconnect we are trying to come to grips with here? I wish you and your family much peace and happiness!

[Salsien]

So let me get this straight... Bilal was jailed in Iraq and fled to the USA to practice his art. Years later his brother is killed by the USA, a simple piece of collateral damage, and his father dies of grief shortly after.

I guess he should thank the USA for bringing 'freedom' to Iraq at the end of a gun barrel?

..... >.>

[desertcafe]

Thanks for your courage. Amazing project. Much compassion.

[Humphrey4u]

LOve you man !

Wonderful project. Thank you.