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• Saturday, September 16, 2006 09:15 AM

  dead-in-iraq

  I've read through the letters regarding the article about my project, "dead-in-iraq". What I find most fascinating is the underlying success of my online memorial/protest in creating dialogue outside the gaming context. Whether you agree with my actions - most gamers do not - it is truly rewarding to observe the intense level of dialogue and debate regarding "dead-in-iraq", the nature of computer gaming, army recruiting tactics, the war, etc.

  I cannot say whether this project is an effective form of "protest" or "memorial". I can say that I do believe that this is an instance of an idea infiltrating an ideologically loaded cultural environment - no, it is not "just a game" - and taking a stand. It is dangerous and ill informed to try to separate America's Army from the culture from which it has emerged.

  My gesture in the game is a simple, pacifistic action. It makes a point.

  I am not a "newbie". I consider myself a gamer. I have been playing and investigating computer games in my work as a media artist, and, just for fun, for years. I do, however, have a passionate interest in questioning the role of such technologies in our daily lives. A game such as AA presents a fair context for such questioning activities (on a personal and a cultural level).

  I have been very careful in talking with reporters to not refer to this work as "peformance art". I think this characterization, and my being a "media artist" perhaps allows others to tend towards easily dismissing my activities. I do this work as a citizen first, an artist second. I truly view this work as a memorial and a protest. The project is about trying to make a connection between what is going in our name, on our tax dollars, across the globe - in an online space that is created by our tax dollars - all to attract and distract in the name of recruiting. I believe that my actions are meaningful. All for now.

  Peace.

  —Joseph DeLappe
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