OPERATIONAL, l'Écart artist run centre, Rouyn-noranda, 2009

Operational Art, as defined by the US Military Dictionary: "The conception and execution, by military forces, of operations to attain strategic objectives, through such actions as apportioning resources to tactical units, or coordinating the logistics requirements of an operation. Operational art forms a bridge between strategy, with which the political aims of a war are defined, and tactics, with which the battles of a war are fought."

The black volumes are a rough representation of the Rockefeller Center, its buildings, plazas, concourses, roof gardens. Since the 1930's, the Center is well recognized as a symbolic display of entrepreneurship, capital, economic reconstruction, arts funding and entertainment. This description in a 1932 official brochure reinforces the utopian nature of the site: " Beauty, utility, dignity and service are to be combined in the completed project. Rockefeller Center is not Greek, but it suggests the balance of greek architecture. It is not Babylonian, but it retains the flavor of Babylon's magnificence. It is not Roman, yet it has Rome's enduring qualities of mass and strength. Nor it is the Taj Mahal, which it resembles in mass-composition, though in it has been caught the spirit of the Taj - aloof, generous in space, quieting in its serenity".

Talking about Babylonia, I thought that it could be interesting to put together the Center - a monumental achievement of american modernism - and the torture, interrogation chambers and "standard operating procedures" of Abu Ghraib, Bagran and Guantanamo - places that symbolize the U.S. administration monumental failure in handling ethical issues in 21st century war context. The performing actions were based in the infamous pictures made by soldiers at the detention centers cited above, and they evoke a sense of erotic fetishism, related to bondage and S&M role play. Abusive sexual games, perverted behaviors and american popular music were used by the soldiers to physically punish and mentally destabilize the detainees.

Video and photography links show sexual content. Viewer discretion is advised.