Artifacts from the Bowling
Green Massacre
2018
Plexiglass, charcoal, chalk, fire helmet, underwear, metal holder, wallet, fabric patch, paper
Boxes are 14.5 x 18 x 12 inches, 12 x 10 x 18.5 inches, 12.5 x 14 x 3 inches
This project was included in the Daily Trumpet.
Related project: The Commissar Asks to Be Forgotten
“I bet, there was very little coverage — I bet it's brand new information to people that President Obama had a six-month ban on the Iraqi refugee program after two Iraqis came here to this country, were radicalized — and they were the masterminds behind the Bowling Green massacre. I mean, most people don't know that because it didn't get covered.”
— Kellyanne Conway, February 2, 2017
In early 2017, presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway invented a fictional massacre to justify the Trump administration's travel and immigration ban from seven majority Muslim countries. Conway repeated this false claim at least three times in interviews with Cosmopolitan, TMZ, and MSNBC before acknowledging she misspoke and clarifying that she was instead referring to the 2011 arrests of two Iraqi refugees in Bowling Green, KY.
In response to Conway’s falsehood, I created material artifacts about the fictional massacre. My objects and museum displays are physical evidence from an historical event that never took place, speculative fictions that invite viewers to contemplate the nature of truth, reality, and fact through playful satire and absurdity. An ongoing archive documenting post-fact truthiness, the objects themselves are littered with deliberate falsehoods and meta-clues.
Fire Helmet, Bowling Green, KY, 2011. This helmet was worn by the Bowling Green Fire Department Deputy Chief on the day of the Bowling Green Massacre. One of the first responders on the scene, the Deputy Chief's heroic actions were credited with saving countless lives. Gift courtesy of the Bowling Green Fire Department.
Fire Helmet, Bowling Green, KY, 2011. This helmet was worn by the Bowling Green Fire Department Deputy Chief on the day of the Bowling Green Massacre. One of the first responders on the scene, the Deputy Chief's heroic actions were credited with saving countless lives. Gift courtesy of the Bowling Green Fire Department.
Wallet with Western Kentucky University ID Bowling Green Police Department Patch Kentucky Driver’s License, Bowling Green, KY, 2011. These personal artifacts were recovered from first responders and survivors of the Bowling Green Massacre. Gift courtesy of Nick Sample, Sally Student, and the Bowling Green Police Department.
Wallet with Western Kentucky University ID Bowling Green Police Department Patch Kentucky Driver’s License, Bowling Green, KY, 2011. These personal artifacts were recovered from first responders and survivors of the Bowling Green Massacre. Gift courtesy of Nick Sample, Sally Student, and the Bowling Green Police Department.
Kentucky Driver's License of Nick Sample, Bowling Green, KY 2011
Fruit of the Loom Underwear, Bowling Green, KY, 2011. This package of men’s underwear was recovered from the Fruit of the Loom world headquarters following the Bowling Green Massacre. The only package of underwear recovered from the attacks, the underwear has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in Bowling Green. Gift courtesy of Fruit of the Loom, Inc.
Fruit of the Loom Underwear, Bowling Green, KY, 2011. This package of men’s underwear was recovered from the Fruit of the Loom world headquarters following the Bowling Green Massacre. The only package of underwear recovered from the attacks, the underwear has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in Bowling Green. Gift courtesy of Fruit of the Loom, Inc.