Fallujah 2005

Siah Armajani's "Fallujah" is constructed from steel, glass, and found objects, materials of both construction and everyday life. Armajani’s work is deeply informed by the materials he uses. The steel and glass give the work a sharp, architectural feel, while the inclusion of everyday objects such as furniture, doors, and children’s drawings, adds layers of meaning. These processes are not necessarily aligned with traditional artmaking. Armajani often incorporates techniques more commonly associated with carpentry or industrial fabrication, blurring boundaries between high art and craft. He seems to be responding to the labor involved in constructing homes, as well as the labor involved in maintaining a household. The subject matter – war and displacement – is made even more poignant by this contrast. Ultimately, "Fallujah" underscores the importance of material choices and making processes in conveying complex social and political messages. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to consider the labor, politics, and human stories embedded within the artwork.