In Memory: The Iraq War, March 19, 2003 - , Coming to ESU Oct. 20 - Nov. 6

ITo date, thousands of people have died in the Iraq War. In Memory: The Iraq War, March 19, 2003 - , acknowledges each death - coalition troops. Civilians, and Iraqi solider causalities - with a series of long, narrow fabric flags is going to be on the Emporia State University campus Oct. 20 - Nov. 6. The exhibit will be located on the ESU campus on the west side of the walking mall between Morse Hall and Science Hall/Cremer Hall.

In Memory: The Iraq War, March 19, 2003 - , is developed and produced by Chicago-based artist Jean Perkins. Perkins said the installation is a response to the distance she feels from the war.

According to Amy Sage-Webb, assistant professor in the Department of English , ESU is the first institution to have the exhibit. "The students are very involved in bringing this exhibit to campus," Sage-Webb said. "It's not just about the art, but it's about the educational venture for the students and the education that goes behind it."

On Oct. 14 - 17 students enrolled in the Public Arts class go to Chicago on a field trip to examine city public arts. As part of the experience students will meet with the artist and load the exhibit to be brought back to Emporia .

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, students and volunteers will install the exhibit. The opening of the exhibit will be at 4:30 p.m. and include a short address by the instructors of the Public Arts class and the artist, Jean Perkins.

"When the war began I would see the pictures carried in newspapers and on television and feel immense and incapacitating sadness," Perkins said. "Each day's news of the war added to my sadness. Over time, I was aware that my life with all its comfortable routines continued and I noticed I thought less frequently of the magnitude of the conflict."

Perkins designed a simple white flag to represent the coalition troop casualties. Each contains a photograph of the casualty, hometown, rank, branch of service, age, date, place and cause of death. Blue flags represent civilian casualties: red flags Iraqi solider casualties.

The flags are attached to bamboo poles 12 to 15 feet in height each containing between 35 to 50 flags per pole. The poles are secured in black vessels and situated throughout the courtyard creating a landscape of white, blue, and red flags. Every Monday the exhibit will be updated with new flags.

PUBLIC ART EXHIBIT EVENTS THIS WEEK:

Tue. October 19, 6-7 p.m., in Science Hall 72. Public Arts class will host a presentation by artist Jean Perkins. Perkins will discuss her work as a public artist and the exhibit, "In Memory, the Iraq War" prior to its installation on the ESU campus. All are welcome.

Wed. October 20, 12-4 p.m, on the walking mall between Morse Hall and Science Hall. Installation of Public Art exhibit, "In Memory, the Iraq War March 19, 2003 - " All volunteers are welcome to help with unloading and installation.

Wed. October 20, 4:30-5:30 p.m, Dedication of the Perkins exhibit on the walking mall if weather permits, or in Brighton Lecture Hall if raining.

Wed. October 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m, Phi Kappa Phi roundtable discussion & reception, PKP room, second floor, Memorial Union.

For more information about the exhibit or any of these events, contact Amy Sage Webb, Department of English. Call 341-5558, or e-mail webbamy@emporia.edu

The exhibit is co-sponsored by: The Departments of Art, Communication/Theater, English and Social Science. The Ethnic and Gender Studies program, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University Honors Program and the ESU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary Society.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>