Krzysztof Wodiczko, Abraham Lincoln: War Veteran Projection, 2012 from More Art on Vimeo.
Abraham Lincoln is experiencing a bit of a renaissance this year, due in no small part to Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film, “Lincoln” — a labor of love for the director that is already generating Oscar buzz. And as Veteran’s Day approaches, an important new exhibit will put the 16th president in the spotlight yet again… literally!
At dusk on November 9th, in collaboration with Krzysztof Wodiczko and 14 veterans of the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, More Art is launching a public exhibit at the Abraham Lincoln statue in Union Square Park entitled, “Abraham Lincoln: War Veteran Projection.”
The bronze statue has stood silently in the park since 1870, commissioned in the years following the close of the Civil War. Wodiczko’s aim is to bring Lincoln’s figure to life through three-dimensional projections, featuring the until-now-unheard stories of those who have fought bravely on our behalf.
Wodiczko spent months speaking to dozens of veterans and their families about the toll of duty and service on their lives, and ultimately filmed conversations with 14 of them. For the next 31 days, these conversations will be projected via sound and light onto the statue, allowing each person’s own words, voice, and gestures to convey their experiences in an unforgettable way.
As our troops begin to return from Afghanistan, there is a tremendous opportunity to start a dialogue about the impact of war on our nation, and on those individuals who serve in our stead. “Abraham Lincoln: War Veteran Projection” provides a powerful glimpse into the hearts, minds, and lives at the core of that conversation — and compels a response.
As a More Art board member for over 6 years, I am thrilled to be a part of this special exhibit launching Friday, November 9 at dusk in Union Square Park, New York City.
Video produced by Fusebox.
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