This art project is called: "In a war someone has to die".
It is an on going project, which is being added to all the time.
To date the piece has 411 handkerchiefs - on each handkerchief people from
across the world have embroidered the text; "In a war someone has to die", in their own
language.
54 countries are represented so far.
The handkerchiefs are shown as one big artwork – hanging beside each other - one united
voice. One voice across nationalities, politics, religions, and culture - commenting on war.
Not one particular war, but all wars.
The impact of the work comes from the numerous individual expressions of the same theme and
a message gathered into a single strong unified art work.
By connecting embroidery and handkerchiefs with the harsh text and the many stories, a strong piece appears which contrasts dynamically, with the violent images of war we are constantly bombarded with in the media.
Viewing the work gives us an experience that there is something bigger than ourselves, that there is a force that binds us together. It make us thoughtful and quite and remind us that we can make a difference.
In addition to the artwork, a list of the contributors nationalities is displayed.
The first impression is of a feminine art piece of embroidery and handkerchiefs.
However as you come closer you are confronted with the text and a message in many different
languages.
Refugees, Facebook and Workshops.
Every single handkerchief has its own unique story to tell.
Some of them are made by people that I have met in refugee camps and half-way
houses in Denmark, others have heard about the project through Facebook.
Some are made in workshops, in connection with shows of the art piece.
Every one is a work of art in itself.
Workshops
A workshop can be arranged, where people are invited to come and embroid a handkerchief and be a part of the exhibition.
For example in connection with the exhibition.
The background for the sentence, choice of handkerchiefs and embroidery.
The quote: ¨In a war someone has to die", originates from a TV interview with an
African mercenary. When he was asked if he was afraid of dying, he soberly replied; "In a
war someone has to die"
The sentence is harsh and provocative, but none-the less an indisputable fact of war.
Handkerchiefs are used to absorb blood, sweat and tears. They are what we clutch while we are
waiting and we use them to wave goodbye.
Handkerchiefs are material objects with their own folds, lace, colors and patterns and carries many human stories and much cultural history.
The following countries are represented;
Afghanistan, Africa/Swahili, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Burma/Myanmar, Canada, China, Croatia, Denmark, Dubai, Estonia, England, Faroe Islands, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, India/Hindi, India/Urdu, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kenya/Kikuya, Kenya/Meru, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nepal, Norway, Persian, Peru, Poland, Romania, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain/Catala, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, USA, Vietnam
Follow the project