Larry Holdaway - the war in Iraq

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works: political: the war in Iraq: [ The Known Soldier ]

work investigating the price of an ill-conceived war

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Visitor Comments

My son is a American soldier and I stand behind him 100%. This country was build on fighting for our freedom,look in the history book some of you need to read again.

(2008.10.16 03:02:58) - Comment by Sue (72.82.33.100)

To Lars I'd like to say thank you for your vision of the American soldier. I believe your art is deeply respectful to the fallen soldiers and speaks a great message to those wise enough to understand it.

(2006.04.23 08:47:34) - Comment by Norzar2 (68.228.223.171)

two all of you Americans who fight wars somewhere else..

How come that we europeans do not have to start a fight somewhere half way across the worl to "protect" ourselfs?

and how come that Bush started the war on Hussein afetr month of failing to catch Osama (he ist still free u know) and public opinion droped to a low because they failed to arrest the public enemy number one?

how come that Bush sells the capture of Hussein as such a success when Osama (the Guy who is actually behind 9/11) ist still free?

how come that the money that is behind Osama and alquaida is NOT from Iraque but from Saudi Arabia but Bush does not plan to invade Saudi Arabia nor is he pressing the Saudis to investigate and stop the support of terrorism?

How come that Bush earns millions with oils deals with the saudis?

How does this all fit and why do you let your sons, dads, daughters and wifes die for someone who lies to you every singel day?

(2005.11.02 15:02:02) - Comment by European (217.40.143.65)

Look not too harshly on the soldiers. They have fallen victim to Bush's [lies? beliefs?] and many really thought that they were dying for freedom. Many believed that, in killing, they saved lives. To an extent, that is true. While I am against this war, it has helped some Iraqis.

And this war isn't all about money. Money plays a part, but is not the centerpiece. It is my thought that Bush really believes that he is the messiah; that whatever he thinks is right is God's will. He doesn't even read the newspaper. Bush scares the shit out of me.

Also, as has been previously said, this war has nothing to do with 9/11. Let me ask this: when was the last time Bin Laden was in the news? History has show that; when started after a massive, enraging event; wars will turn the public's eye.

The count of terrorist events globally has not only not decreased since Bush's war, it has increased. Many of these figures were witheld from major news. The lives here payed were lost fruitlessly.

My two cents...

(2005.05.24 03:49:59) - Comment by Mercutio (68.112.138.195)

yeah.

(2005.05.15 02:35:18) - Comment by welll fuck (64.136.49.227)

Hey brando, if you're trying to say that I'm on some kind of bandwagon for doing these art-pieces then you had better step the fuck off and take a look at the rest of this website. You want to talk about thinking for yourself? Alright then, let's talk. Is regurgitating that same old death-squad, don't-trust-the-government, it's-all-about-the-$$$ shit thinking for yourself? Really? Wow, you must be some kind of a political-science genius. I've never heard any of that before...

Maybe once you've grown up a bit, you'll realize what this is really about: every death matters. Each life lost in Iraq was wasted; man, woman, child, Iraqi, American or otherwise.

Your words reflect a lack of empathy and compassion that only the young and the intentionally ignorant are capable of.

(2005.04.13 06:43:36) - Comment by Lars ( webmaster )

peace and freedom through violence? i don't think so. if you are stupid enough to sign your life away to any government, you can expect to come back wrapped in your silly flag. these soldiers knew what they were doing when they signed up for the death squad. who knows how many faceless numbers of innocent people were killed in the name of "freedom" by these soldiers. please stop feeling sorry for these people because they brought it upon themselves. they weren't drafted. it was voluntary. if you trust a government with your life, be prepared for the consequences. politicians are corrupt and have a vested interest in whatever wars they start or are involved in. people are dying for $$$, not freedom. patriotism is counter productive to the well-being of all people. jump off the band wagon and think for yourself. don't allow crooked politicians to think for you.

(2005.04.13 05:54:14) - Comment by brando (4.3.90.231)

Look, I AM a fucking soldier, ok. I joined in time of war knowing good and well I might die. Why did I do this? B/c freedom is the single most valuable thing. To me it is so much more valuable than money, there's just no comparison. Guess what? Fuck anybody who thinks war is simple and about some stupid slogan. It doesn't matter to me if you are Republican or Democrat. If you don't believe in your cause enough to put your life in God's hands to protect it, then don't post stupid half-ass opinions. Don't waste your time. Don't waste anyone's else. Go learn something. Go read a fucking book. As soon as you have to start using tired old labels like "trailer trash", "faggot", "Liberal", etc. your god-damn ignorance is showing, so tuck it back in.

(2005.04.01 03:34:30) - Comment by Fed (66.57.44.253)

i just wanted to say...My brother died in Iraq on August 17,2004 if you would like to read about him go to google.com and type in Bradon Titus. I wonder if you have his photo in any other those. Please everyone dont talk shit about our military. THEY ARE THE REASON WHY WE SLEEP PEACEFULLY AT NIGHT.Don't talk shit unless you've been there. I dont talk shit, only about Bush, he is going to go to hell for this! The war should be over, and our troops need to get the hell out of there. When I turn 18 I am joining the army and I am going to pay my country back for the freedoms it has givin me. I will finish what my brother started. He died a hero, saving four other soldiers lives. He did not suffer he died in a second. God Bless our Troops!!!
R.I.P
Spc. Brandon Titus and Henry Risner!!! You two are my heros!!! Bubba watch over everyone you are their guardian angel*soldiers*...If anyone is standing by god's throne I do believe it is my brother, not only because he is my one and only sibling just because he loved Jesus Christ, and he was the most respected person out of Idaho!!!I love you Brandon!!!*your bratty lil sis Redneck Baby* ya'll can laugh but before he died he gave me that nickname his was Redneck and since Im the baby out of the family well thats where the baby part came in!!!
You all think twice before talking shiz you aint never been there so you wouldnt know what its like.! I do because my whole family is military, and i can talk shit because my brother died. Fuck you all who are against our military ya'll dont know shit! Go fuck bush if you are, (naw you'll like it to much and so will he)

(2005.03.13 08:19:28) - Comment by Libby Titus (24.20.180.84)

I respect the picture you made and to be honest I do not see how some of these previous individuals to post have reduced it to either being liberal/democrat or conservative/republican. My only question is when Clinton was in office eight years what did he do to avoid controversy with Iraq. He maintained the sanctions and even acted with agression towards Iraq with air attacks. Bush went farther by sending in ground forces and taking over. Both republicans and democrats have brought America to the point that it is today. Stop pointing fingers at just Bush or the liberals. Cheers Lars for the pictures.

(2005.03.03 04:58:35) - Comment by Jonny (199.8.45.203)

Thank you Phil.

I created these pieces in order to put a more relatable, human face on the casualty counts coming out of Iraq... to remind us that each of those numbers comes with a recognizable face. The name-calling only distracts from and disgraces those very soldiers.

Please feel free to debate, I'm not going to censor anyone. Just do your best to keep it mature and civil. Thanks.

(2005.03.02 02:22:29) - Comment by Lars ( webmaster )

hey guys, we dont need anymore hatred in our world. people have different views, liberals and conservatives, and they always will. just accept them adn move on. peace

(2005.03.02 01:18:12) - Comment by phil c. (152.163.101.11)

Totally respect u for doin this. FUCK U STUPID REPUBLICANS. THE ONLY THING THAT YOU ARE GOOD FOR IS BEING STUPID TRAILOR TRASH!!!!!

(2005.03.01 22:11:08) - Comment by Eric (66.213.14.180)

your nothing but a bleeding heart liberal fuck

(2005.02.23 02:15:56) - Comment by anonymous (87.123.70.183)

dont waste ur time trying to get wood to change his mind, he is a stupid fucking republican, and he's probley raciest and his mother is also his sister and in law, so just let him and his brainwashed friends keep on thinking that bush is a cool guy

(2005.02.19 17:19:34) - Comment by Drew (67.164.32.115)

Wood, you do realize that Iraq had absolutely nothing to do with September 11th, right?

(2005.01.26 22:17:08) - Comment by Lars ( webmaster )

You say fuck the war. Yeah fuck the war. And you say fuck you to the thousands of lives that were taken on september 11th also. Look beyond that of George Bush, and look at what really lies in the fighting. The right to remain free and unharmed in our own country. I think its funny that all you anti war faggots bitch about bush and the war. But what you fail to realize is that The United States government is protecting everything in this country that you take for your own personal fucking leisure. Its not Bush's war, its a war against all that is evil in this world.

(2005.01.26 15:23:29) - Comment by wood (64.146.118.186)

fuck bush and his war. these people lost thier lives for a fucking mokey. pray for the families that have lost a son, a daughter, a mom, or a dad.

(2005.01.13 03:04:03) - Comment by cannie (216.196.139.192)

the war in Iraq

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The Known Soldier

	This composite image includes 1087 portraits of the first 1121 American soldiers killed in Iraq from March 2003 to October 2004. In order to create this work, I scoured the internet for the best possible photo of each individual soldier, then aligned the eyes and mouth of each portrait with the preceding photos before compositing them into a single work. As I went through the list of fatalities, time and again I encountered the personal accounts of friends, family and loved ones. Each parent's final conversation, every friend's happy recollection, the lonely words of widowed spouses and the bewildered questions of fatherless children tore into my heart and left me, more often than not, in tears. As I looked into the pixelized eyes of each of these selfless warriors, I wondered what their plans had been - I wondered where they would be now if not for the war. This is the face of America's sacrifice, the face of more than a thousand families' pain. Do you recognize it?

	This image was created by compositing (combining, layering) groups of exisiting photographs (or other images) into a single work. The process is achieved by manually aligning each image, then scanning and layering them using custom written software. The intent of these works is to discover the patterns, trends and truth that may be collectively found in the vocabulary of the photographic arts.

	20 x 30 in. digital print

	Copyright © 2004 Larry Holdaway

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	composite, iraq, photáge, political, portraits, war

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		political

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Group summary for [the war in Iraq]:

Year	Title	Size	Media
2005	altar of hubris	30 x 20 in.	digital print
2004	[ The Known Soldier ]	20 x 30 in.	digital print
2004	The 108th U.S. Senate	20 x 30 in.	digital print
2004	The 108th U.S. House of Representatives	20 x 30 in.	digital print