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168:01 Poetic, Political, & Useful

published by Aaron Hughes on 01/26/16 6:11pm

Iraqi-born artist Wafaa Bilal’s new project 168:01 is one of the most poetic, political, and useful artworks of the last decade. Through the project he highlights and acknowledges the destruction of the cultural history of Iraq while enacting a process to rebuild it and move forward despite.

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168:01 consists of a simple installation of blank white books gesturing to the loss of the entire library at the University of Baghdad College of Fine Arts where over 70,000 books were destroyed during the U.S. led invasion of Iraq in 2003. These white books function as a way to rebuild the library through a system of grassroot support. The artist made white books will be exchanged for the gift of a lost book or a donation to the 168:01 Kickstarter campaign. As a result the project will replace over 1,000 lost books to the University of Baghdad.

The title of the project and the blank white book installation also alludes to the 13th century Mongol siege of Baghdad. At the time Baghdad was home to the largest library in the world, the Bayt al-Hikma, or House of Wisdom. The siege resulted in the destruction of the House of Wisdom. Wafaa notes, “According to legend, the library was thrown into the Tigris River to create a bridge of books for the Mongolian army to cross. The pages bled ink into the river for seven days, after which the books were drained of knowledge. 168:01 takes its title from this story of loss, representing the first second after 168 hours (or seven days), which signals the beginning of rebirth and process of moving forward to rebuild.”

On a very human level, one book at a time, this project addresses large scale social and political issues, and interweaves history, poetics, and action. The result is a project that achieves what few artworks do, concrete improvements to people’s lives and the creation of meaning out of loss and destruction.

Wafaa Bilal is asking for support for 168:01 through a Kickstarter campaign. Consider taking a moment to join the campaign and/or spread the word through social media.

Join the 168:01 Kickstarter campaign here.

Learn more about the project here.

This blog was crossposted on justseeds.org

SUPPORT GI RESISTERS: Two war resisters facing hardship in canada and deportation

Rodney Watson and Kimberley Rivera, both who where featured in the War is Trauma portfolio, need your support. 1. Write the Canadian Immigration Minister and ask him to let Kimberley Rivera stay 2. Write solidarity letters...

Organizer Maggie Martin is interviewed about our work at Fort Hood, 11 years into America's longest war.

This article by Sarah Lazare published by War Times on September 9th 2012 features an interview with IVAW organizer Maggie Martin and offers insight into our powerful organizing work at Fort Hood. Please read and share the...

Remembering Joshua Casteel this weekend

Joshua Casteel Funeral Service is this weekend. He is a brother that has inspired many of us to live up to what we believe. Please keep him in your thoughts.  Post and print this poster in his memory.

IVAW Members and documentary On the Bridge featured on NPR: Worldview

Director Olivier Morel and Iraq Veterans Against the War member Vincent Emanuele featured on Worldview and discuss war, trauma and living 'On The Bridge.'A decade ago, French filmmaker Olivier Morel traveled across...

WARRIORWriters: Reflections at Under the Hood

This is a repost from Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center By Maggie Martin On Saturday, September 1, we hosted WARRIORWriters: Write to Heal Workshopat Under the Hood. It was really great to have a chance to slow down...

DISPATCHES FROM UNDER THE HOOD Part Two by CivSol Member Rushelle Frazier

This is a repost from a August 2012 blog on the Civilian-Soldier Alliance Websight. It is the second blog post from Rushelle Frazier, current CivSol Resident Organizer down in Killeen, TX. If folks want to get a better...

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