Thomas Bell

The Numbers Installation

The Numbers installation will be on view for the Chashama Film Festival. A collaboration with Christina deRoos,  Numbers highlights human costs of the conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan that are rarely reported in mainstream media. See photos of the process of installation as well as the final result here.

The installation consists of flag draped coffins and numbers stenciled on paper then covered with bubble wrap. The width and placement give viewers a choice between walking across and popping bubbles or making a small but extra effort to jump across and avoid interacting. This parallels the ability those of us in the United States have to avoid witnessing the impact of the government policies carried out in our name. It requires a bit of effort, although not much, to avoid the messy reality of our ongoing policies in Iraq and Afghanistan.

*****

Numbers used include:

32,907 Weight in tons of bombs dropped by the U.S. Air force in Iraq & Afghanistan through 2007

6129 American and coalition military casualties in Iraq & Afghanistan

120  American military casualties since Obama was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2009

46% The percentage of air raid casualties that are women are girls

766 The number of journalists and academics that have been killed in Iraq

1395 The number of contractor employee deaths in Iraq

102,083 Documented civilian deaths from violence in Iraq (Estimate is 93,552-102,083)

39% The percentage of air raid casualties that are children

>100 thousand The number of American military wounded

$7500 The amount the U.S. Army paid to two children whose mother was killed inside a taxi that ran a checkpoint. Both children were also in the taxi, and were shot and injured.

Thank you to Iraq Body Count, AntiWar, and iCasualties for maintaining databases that make these and many more numbers readily available.

*****

Popping bubble wrap generally evokes enthusiasm from people regardless of age. With Numbers, the excitement of walking, jumping, or otherwise popping bubbles is tempered by the reality of stepping on representations of victims of violence.

Numbers also presents an opportunity for participants to reflect upon the myriad impacts of war, including responses to loud or surprising sounds, such as the pops of bubble wrap. For child and adult survivors of war, loud noises can trigger intrusive memories, nightmares, hallucinations or flashbacks, sometimes resulting in exaggerated responses. As one Iraq veteran explains, "any little noise and I'd jump out of bed and run around the house with a gun." In the same way, the sound of an airplane flying overhead can cause stress for survivors of aerial bombings, while it is of no consequence to others. 

Lastly, Numbers is provides a visual reference point for the ongoing violence as the total number of bubbles in the installation is approximately the same as the total number of tons of bombs that have been dropped on Iraq and Afghanistan to date.

Numbers
On view Thursday, October 22 - Monday, October 26 
Part of the Chashama Film Festival
Final Cut Lounge
679 Third Avenue (at 43rd St.)
One block from Grand Central
Subway: 4,5,6,7

Found Object work at The Invisible Dog

Here is an exhibit that I have a work in that has been extended through the end of Nov. The work is a titled "Expectations" and is a collaboration with Jennifer Harris.

Here is the press release for the show:

		FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ART FILLS VACUUM CREATED BY RUSH OF EMPTY STORES NO LONGER EMPTY: THE INVISIBLE DOG The 3rd installation in a matter of monthsfor the energetic not for profit. Curators: Manon Slome, Asher Remy-Toledo and Julia Draganovic with Tara de la Garza and Julian Navarro The Invisible Dog 51 Bergen St. Brooklyn NY When Press Preview: October 1, 12pm – 2pm General Opening: October 3, 6pm – 9pm
Beware: “The Invisible Dog“ is unleashed this Saturday, October 3rd!  The latest group exhibition produced by No Longer Empty, “The Invisible Dog” is a show “out of nothing” in a warmly decrepit out-of-use belt factory on Bergen Street in Brooklyn.   Following the tails of the Improv Everywhere stunt last week, the show presents a multitude of site-specific works reflecting both the history of the space and the profound beauty of the Invisible Dog.   A rift on the 70’s gag, it’s a void object waiting for creative minds and hands to bring it to life.   Here in the factory, artists grabbed the many trimmings, reels of fabric, leather and other materials and transformed them into something new.   The artist duo Steven and William created a “chandelier” of abandoned belt buckles.  Guerra del la Paz amassed tons of discarded clothing, one color at a time.  Here, la Paz’s “trashy” tribute becomes an imposing, yurt-shaped spectral prism.  In the neighborhood spirit, Tom Sanford brings Jonathan Lethem’s novel “Motherless Brooklyn”-- which takes place on this block, to life via a fantastic, larger than life mural.  Even the freight elevator is transformed: here, Giuseppe Stampone takes us on a trip from Hell to Heaven al Dante.     The Invisible Dog, 51 Bergen St, Brooklyn ( f / g train to Bergen Street ) Festive Opening: October 3rd, 6-9pm.   The exhibition is free and open to the public through October 31st.  Hours: Thursday/Friday 2-8 pm and Saturday/Sunday: 12-8 pm.  The show is curated by Manon Slome, Asher Remy-Toledo and Julia Draganovic, with Tara de la Garza and Julian Navarro.   Participating artists: Thomas Bell, Ryan Brennan, Amanda Browder, Rosane Chamecki, Andrea Lerner & Phil Harder, Gina Czarnecki, Jeanette Doyle, Steve DeFrank, Richard Garet, Guerra de la Paz (Alain Guerra & Neraldo de la Paz), Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Kaarina Kaikkonen, Giles Lyon, Sara Modiano, Miguel Palma, José Parlá, Rey Parlá, Ian Rawlinson & Nick Crowe, Tom Sanford, Keith Schweitzer, Francesco Simeti, Alfred Stein­er, Giuseppe Stampone.   NO LONGER EMPTY transforms vacant spaces into public art exhibitions.  As a response to the economic crisis, the organization revitalizes emptiness by filling the sites with positive energy and works of art.  The organization hopes to stimulate local communities through worthwhile exhibitions, and by drawing flows of visitors to each neighborhood for these programs.   For more information, including the schedule of upcoming band nights, conversations and other events: please see www.nolongerempty.com or contact Manon Slome at 917-916 9580 or info@nolongerempty.com.  The Invisible Dog - a short history. The factory at 51 Bergen Street was built in the late 1800’s. Over the years it has been used for various things, including manufacturing, storage and parking. 51 Bergen Street was purchased in the 1970’s by one Mr. George Zorbas, who was a former US Army Air Corp pilot during WW II. After the war, he started his own jewelry and clothing business and eventually he owned several factories in downtown Brooklyn. After purchasing the building at 51 Bergen Street, he consolidated his business there and made costume jewelry, belts, necklaces, small clothing items and a well known children’s item called the “Invisible Dog.” At the peak of production, this factory operated 24 hours per day with three shifts and employed 150 workers. By the early-mid 1990’s, it became very difficult for this business to compete with low cost manufacturing in places like China and Mexico, so the business slowly dwindled. For the last 10 years, the main product manufactured at 51 Bergen Street was the “Invisible Dog,” and this product was sold to places such as Six Flags Amusement Park and to Disneyland. After Mr. Zorbas died in 1994 the building was sold to its present owners in 2007. In December 2008, Lucien Zayan, a native of Paris, discovered the Invisible Dog Factory and decided to transform it as an Arts Center. The ground floor will be the main space for events, exhibitions, performances and concerts. The Second Floor will be artists' studios and 9 artists have already moved in.The Third Floor will be a rental space for all kind of artistic events.

Castle Braid Exhibition

I have quite a few pieces in the Spread Art exhibition at the Brooklyn Artillery show at Castle Braid.  Along with my works there are works by Christina deRoos and Heather Garland.

Overall, there are about 20 galleries involved and a lot of great work.  Please swing on by and check it out!

See photos of the current Spread Art exhibition here . Visit in person, weekends through October 31st: Castle Braid; 114 Troutman (between Central & Bushwick).

Above (Left to Right):

1) Cessation of Suffering, 48"x48", Acrylic & collage on panel, Thomas Bell, $1000
2) Waiting, 48"x48", Acrylic & collage on panel, Thomas Bell, $1000
3) Pain, 48"x48", Acrylic & collage on panel, Thomas Bell, $1000
4) Hope Remains, 30"x30", Acrylic, fabric, metal on canvas, Christina deRoos, $1200