Temporary Memorial for Children Killed in Gaza
It was for myself. Almost an act of desperation. Just not knowing what else to do. So the idea was how could this number be visualized?
Behn Samareh
I began this work in january of last year, not knowing how it would conclude. As of today 19,945 have been drilled without a definitive stopping point. One year later and the earlier holes are being filled up by the wind. Many will be gone after the first rain of the season which is fast approaching.. And the augur I use to drill the holes is dying. The universe is hinting that The purpose has been served.
Temporary Memorial for the Children of Gaza
This work will end at 20,000 albeit the actual number of dead children is much higher, and the killing of children will not stop until the occupation ends.
My hope is that in time morality will supercede nationality.
I can’t imagine a more clear case than 20,000 dead children.
it’s not that complicated.
June 25, 2024
Sadly I can not use the word “finished”, but The Temporary Memorial for the Children of Gaza is up to date. As of yesterday the number of holes matches the reported number of children killed in Gaza since oct. 7th.. There are 15,967 holes arranged in blocks of 1000. This effort will continue as long as the war does, which is estimated to continue for another 6 months. it will be updated weekly to reflect an accurate casualty count.
drone footage: @slworking
music: @jenngrantmusic
There are 15,967 holes arranged in blocks of 1000.
Behn Samareh
(as of June 25, 2024)
Eyes Wide Open
Eyes Wide Open is an exhibit created by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) observing the American soldiers and marines who died in the Iraq War (2003–2011). It contains a pair of combat boots to represent every American soldier and marine who died in the war, as well as shoes representing Iraqi civilians who lost their lives during the invasion and occupation.
The exhibit was first shown in Chicago’s Federal Plaza in January 2004. At that time, the exhibit contained 504 pairs of boots.[1]
As of March 2007, the national exhibit contained over 3,400 pairs of boots and had visited more than 100 cities in 40 states.[2] However, as a result of its unmanageable size, the exhibit has been broken down state-by-state. Currently, nearly every state has its own state exhibit. The national exhibit in its entirety would currently contain more than 4,000 pairs of empty boots.
Bringing the War Home
Oct 24, 2012
This short documentary captures the essence of the Eyes Wide Open exhibit, a stark reminder of the human cost of the Iraq War. Eyes Wide Open, the American Friends Service Committee’s widely-acclaimed exhibition featured a pair of boots commemorating each U.S. military death, a field of shoes to memorialize the Iraqis killed in the conflict. From January 2005 until the end of the war, this simple exhibit of empty boots and shoes opened eyes and stirred emotions across the country.
Twenty
The (Eyes Wide Open) exhibit was featured in blues musician Robert Cray’s music video for “Twenty”. The song “Twenty” tells the story of a fictional serviceman who returns to the U.S. haunted by his experience in Iraq. The video stars an Iraq War veteran, 23-year-old Aidan Delgado. Cray did not know of the Eyes Wide Open exhibit when he came up with the concept for the song, but realized that the exhibit would be a meaningful way for the character in his song to come to terms with the death he faced in Iraq. Robert Cray’s album, also titled Twenty, was nominated for the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
unflinching 