Bombs Away: Radicalization, nationalism, and the spectacle of violence

Radicalization, nationalism, and the spectacle of violence are forces that shape societies in dangerous ways. Bombs Away captures this through a figure sitting atop a nuclear bomb, holding a flag split by color—a striking metaphor for ideological division.

The sculpture uses symbolic realism to critique how destructive narratives become normalized and how people are complicit, whether through action or inaction, in perpetuating cycles of conflict.

This piece interrogates the responsibility individuals have in resisting extremism. Freedom is meaningless if fear and violence dictate the rules of society. The sculpture challenges viewers to reflect on the ethical and moral compromises people make when confronted with divisive ideologies, highlighting that justice requires courage to stand against oppressive systems.

The work also critiques political structures that profit from fear and conflict. When governments or institutions manipulate nationalism to distract from inequality or exploitation, ordinary people bear the consequences.

By visualizing the fragility of human life against monumental instruments of destruction, the piece forces audiences to recognize the value of equality, accountability, and the imperative for collective action.

Ultimately, Bombs Away serves as both warning and call to responsibility. It urges society to reject cycles of hatred, embrace shared humanity, and demand systems that prioritize human life, freedom, and equitable justice over ideological spectacle.

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