Homeland
by Nina Berman
Homeland examines the militarization of American life post September 11, focusing on the enticing nature of the contemporary American security state; the government’s role as scriptwriter and theatrical producer, and the role of citizens as paid actors. volunteers and consumers in the advancement of the war on terror narrative.
The work does not visually differentiate between scenes depicting everyday security measures and specific simulations or drills, leaving the viewer to consider where the game ends and the “real” world begins. The photographs were made between September 2001 and 2015
USA, New York City, 2003, Law Student at a pro-Iraq war rally.
PREPARE
"I'm learning how to be safe. I ordered my anti nukes pills and some for my child and a radiation monitor which I put on my key chain. It's cute and looks like a car remote and a bargain at $129. I have a Go kit stashed in a white pail just like the one used by 9-11 rescue heroes during those dark days when they dug through dirt and bones. I'm not sure where I will need to go but I know someone will tell me.
Meanwhile I pay attention to the colour warnings. A flag in my town flies atop our Homeland Security advisory billboard and lets me know I should feel each day."When the flag is yellow I'm hopeful about the future and treat myself to a manicure. When it's orange, I'm not so carefree and watch more intently the people around me. "
USA, Illinois, Country Club Hills, 2008, Homeland Security advisory billboard.
USA, Pennsylvania, Winfield, 2006, Trainee, Citizen Corps / Community Emergency Response team (CERT) session.
"With close to one million names on our nation's terrorist watch list, who knows who could be lurking out there?"
USA, Florida, Delray Beach, 2002, Homefront Security Patrol
USA, Colorado, Colorado Springs, 2005, President Bush, Focus on the Family movie theater.
BELIEVE
"I live in a country uniquely blessed. I feel this when I enter my church and see our Christian flag next to our American flag.
I feel it on God and Country Sunday when members of our military march downthe aisle. I'm proud and humbled to have a pastor who is so close to Christ, our warrior, and also to our President."
"I go to my church for everything, from worship to aerobics."
USA, Colorado, Colorado Springs, October 2005, A woman in a burqa serves peanuts to a young girl during Missonary Day at the New Life Church.
USA, Texas, Houston, July 2005, The Grand Opening of Lakewood Church's new Central Campus. Over 57,000 people packed the Sanctuary and video overflow rooms.
DEFEND
USA, New Jersey, Atlantic City, 2007, Stealth Bomber
"My President says that somewhere in the world, at this very minute, a terrorist is planning an attack on me."
USA, NY, Bronx, Orchard Beach, 2007, Marines land attack helicopters, paint children in camouflage and unfurl infantry weapons, including pistols with silencers for the public's amusement with the unspoken aim of recruiting new marines.
USA, Louisiana, Ft. Polk, 2008, Local residents are hired at $12.87 an hour to dress up as Iraqis and act out various scenarios designed to help soldiers train for deployment. Here, a car accident has occurred.
USA, New York City, May 2015, US Marines in Times Square for Fleet Week - demonstration weapons including rifles and arriving in an armored personnel carrier.