By Lynda Majarian Article published November 3, 2004
"Casualty Count of the Iraq War" is the title of a new art installation created by faculty and students. The exhibit, located in the Francis Colburn Gallery in Williams Hall, is a graphic depiction of the number of casualties in the Iraq War, both coalition and Iraqi. Coalition casualties are represented by more than 1,250 small green plastic soldiers, which become the stars in a huge representation of an American flag. The Iraqis are represented by individual stampings of human figures directly on the wall.
“Seeing the number of casualties has a far greater effect than just hearing the number,” says Beth Haggart, a lecturer of art. She conceived the idea with input from students, friends and others who are concerned about the human toll of war.
American and Iraqi casulties depicted on the 12 by 27-foot installation become blurred by sheer number and proximity on the huge field of the flag. The names, ages, cause of death and other details of coalition casualties are listed. Printouts of various sources give varying estimates of the death count among Iraqis.
The installation is a work in process, with a constantly updated count of casualties. “It’s a tremendous amount of work,” says Haggart. “Everyone is welcome to help us complete it.”
An opening reception for the installation will be held Nov. 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Colburn Gallery. The installation also is on view through Nov. 12 during gallery hours, which are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Information: 660-2764
