POV Mirror Sequence (Tarin Kowt)

Accession Number	ART94193
Collection type	Art
Measurement	16:9 ratio, 8:22 minutes, stereo audio
Object type	Digital file
Physical description	2 channel synchronised HD video
Maker	Gladwell, Shaun
Place made	Afghanistan: Uruzgan Province, Tarin Kot
Date made	2009 - 2010
Conflict	Afghanistan, 2001-2021
Copyright	Item copyright: © Australian War Memorial This item is licensed under CC BY-NC

Description

In October 2009 Shaun Gladwell went to Afghanistan and several bases in the Middle East as an official war artist, commissioned by the Australian War Memorial. For two weeks he was attached to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Afghanistan, which is engaged in a range of training, logistical, reconnaissance, and battle operations as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.

In this two channel video, the artist Shaun Gladwell and soldier - there are two soldiers shown in sequence - video each other inside the Tarin Kowt military base. It is an intentionally dynamic portrait of a soldier, who is represented observing, controlling and adapting to an environment. The work reflects Gladwell's fascination with the intensive way soldiers are physically and mentally trained to complete their field operations. This video installation also represents the light, mountains, rocks, dust, buildings, and vehicles that are part of the region's harsh yet beautiful environment.

The second soldier depicted in the work is Private Aaron Peter Myers: PMKeyS 8532640.