Items
Subject is exactly
African American Soldiers
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The Loyalty of the African Soldier to Defend the Constitution
Large assemblage, composed primarily of a long metal beam, propped up horizontally on either end by concrete supports. Across the horizontal metal beam is painted "AFRICAN SOLDIER SERVICE IN - REVOLUTIONARY - BUFFALO - S - SPANISH - A - CIVIL - WORLD - W I II - KOREA - VIETNAM." Secured on top of the beam is a tin ammunition box, fastened with wire, and two leather boots. Underneath the beam rests multiple oil drums. On one oil drum is painted "GOD LOVES / FAREWELL / TO MY / BROTHERS / SISTERS / LOST IN / VIETNAM," with "1966 [with the second 6 inverted]" painted down one side. On another drum is written: "GOD LOVE / FAREWELL / TO MY / BROTHERS / SISTERS / LOST IN / IRAQ," with "2004" painted down one side. A clear plastic, hexagonal bin also rests under this assemblage. It is filled partially with sand, water, plastic toy tanks, and plastic army men. To the far left of the assemblage, a long metal pipe juts diagonally from the ground, set in a Christmas tree foundation, resting on a metal wheelie, and topped with an orange cone to resemble a bomb. Painted on this pipe are the words "U.S.A." in black lettering, outlined in white. A crutch hangs from the bomb. Secured, at an angle joining the pole and the beam, is another oxidized metal beam with wings resembling an aircraft. -
Unknown African Soldier
The sculpture consists of two independent sculptures: at the front, numerous found objects are placed on top of a round metal base. These items include rocks, boots, concrete figurines, and a sign, and a grave stone that reads in part: "AFRICAN SOLDIER USA IS 55. I DEFEND TO BE FREE AMAN (sic). GOD GIVE HIM PEACE, JUSTICE, FREEDOM..." The sculpture in the rear is built upon two wooden boards that cross to form a cross or "T" shape. Various found objects are attached including toy soldiers, toy guns, crutches, barbed wire, a canteen, gas masks, a helmet, boots, costume masks, tattered American flag, gas can, and an oxidized sign that reads "MEMORIAL." A web of green wiring is strung at the top of the wooden boards where the two intersect.