The Timely Dissent of a Vietnam War-Themed Show

mentioned here

but image from here

A show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum called “Artists Respond” is a political exhibition of artists reactions, thoughts, and opinions on the Vietnam war. This piece, “Vietnam Garden” by artist Judith Bernstein, mentioned by the article caught my interest, described as depicting “erect penises with military tombstones flying US flags” that fuse displeasure with the actions of the US government by implicating the role of caricatured “testosterone-fueled aggression”. I thought this piece was relevant because it can be considered a piece of public art in that it presents itself in a very public, visible sphere where many people have access to it via online media and it makes a bold and controversial statement that the artist isn’t afraid to take ownership of.