Jose Marichal at Thick Culture put up another great example of what he calls “engaged public space,” or the quiet but political use of public spaces to inform and incite. Writes Marichal:
This tally of military suicides is outside the studio of Brooklyn artist Sebastian Errasuriz. Its power comes from its simplicity.
See also our post on political (versus historical) roadside markers.
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 16
Lynne Skysong — November 30, 2010
I remember seeing this exact same picture something else a few months ago. It's really scary and messed up when you think about it. Btw, does anyone know of the source(s) used for this information? I wonder if they'll be a new one for 2010... more importantly though, I wonder when we can welcome of soldiers home.
Molly W. — November 30, 2010
It's a fantastic visual.
You might note that it omits US military fatalities in Afghanistan (300+ in 2009).
Tepsidell — November 30, 2010
It isn't "public" space, though. It's his studio.
Political Football — November 30, 2010
Does anyone wonder why there is a growing divide between those who serve and those who are content to use us as a political football? Really? This isn't meant to do anything to actually help those of us in uniform. Just to take potshots at the political party you happen to disagree with.
Generation Kill | reflections in transit — December 2, 2010
[...] And then, of course, there is also this. [...]
Collette — April 11, 2011
How does the suicide rate for soldiers compare to the normal suicide rate for males of similar age, socio-economic status, and ethnicity? That makes this statistic a lot more complex, and harder to make a snap judgment. Remember that the average soldier is male, and so is the average suicide victim.
Engaged public space | Personally Redefined — October 15, 2013
[...] this through Sociological Images, it’s a tally of military suicides outside the studio of Brooklyn artist Sebastian Errasuriz. [...]