"RETRO,
RETRO, RETRO - THE MACHINE" is part of an installation that can be used singularly. Uniquely merges a swing with an old
excavator, interacting with an arcade claw machine. The claw rests on the
ground, as if the excavator is disarmed. Inside the machine, instead of the
usual toys or prizes, there is a pile of destroyed guns. This stark contrast
between elements of play and objects of violence creates a powerful visual and
symbolic impact, prompting the viewer to confront the dissonance between
innocence and destruction.
The
work serves as a clear anti-war statement, highlighting how developed countries
impose poverty and violence on poorer nations. It exposes the dichotomy between
privilege and suffering, showing that the carefree entertainment of the
privileged is often sustained by the conflict and misery of others. This
confrontation encourages the audience to reflect on the hidden realities behind
the comfort and leisure of affluent societies.
The
juxtaposition of the swing, symbolizing fun and innocence, with the excavator,
an emblem of destruction, creates a visual tension that challenges the viewer
to reconsider the ethical implications of their own comforts. The dismantling
of the claw machine – an icon of consumption and leisure – by disused weapons
underscores the tragic irony of a world where war and poverty are the price for
entertainment and security of the privileged. This act of destruction serves as
a potent metaphor for the hidden consequences of the actions of developed
nations.
"RETRO,
RETRO, RETRO" stands as a metaphor for global inequality, denouncing the
cycle of violence and exploitation that underpins the modern world. The
installation invites viewers to contemplate the complex interdependencies
shaping our contemporary reality, fostering critical awareness of the
relationship between privilege, consumption, and the perpetuation of conflicts
elsewhere.
