Strangelove is a project about the public display of weapons in peacetime.
I started working on this project after experiencing a NATO flight show in Spain shortly after the September 11 attacks. People were cheering and applauding in joy while observing the terrifying war machinery roaring over their heads.
It seemed as if they needed the presentation of force to correct their shattered view of the world.
I started working on this project after experiencing a NATO flight show in Spain shortly after the September 11 attacks. People were cheering and applauding in joy while observing the terrifying war machinery roaring over their heads.
It seemed as if they needed the presentation of force to correct their shattered view of the world.
The public display of weaponry falls into three basic categories:
Before a conflict, weapons are simply demonstrated as a threat.
After a conflict, the displays vary:
The winner proudly puts his obsolete war technology in museums and creates subjective displays, explaining their necessity to solve conflicts.
The defeated presents displays showing the iniquity of that very solution.
Weapons are exhibited as disarmed unexploded ordnance.
In time, the displays become loaded with pathos and ridiculousness.
Before a conflict, weapons are simply demonstrated as a threat.
After a conflict, the displays vary:
The winner proudly puts his obsolete war technology in museums and creates subjective displays, explaining their necessity to solve conflicts.
The defeated presents displays showing the iniquity of that very solution.
Weapons are exhibited as disarmed unexploded ordnance.
In time, the displays become loaded with pathos and ridiculousness.
P.W.VOIGT PHOTOGRAPHY
