Java.March.2017

used in the Vietnam war. The video explores what it’s
like to be a guerilla or a U.S. soldier.
One anecdote that illustrates the heart of the project
occurred when the group was touring the Cu Chi
Tunnels near Saigon, used by the Viet Cong (allies
of North Vietnam) during the war. During the tour, a
British man asked the guide why they lost the war to
the United States. The tour guide responded that they
didn’t lose the war. It was an interesting, illuminating
moment for the group, as it spoke to the idea of
nation-branding and propaganda that happens in an
empire. “To fight off a colonial power like the United
States is something to be very proud of,” said Lucero.
“I think it’s an incredible achievement. For the tour
guide to say bluntly, ‘No, we didn’t lose’—I just take
that as a part of Vietnamese pride.”
“The young British or Australian tourist had no
concept of the history he was immersing himself in,”
said Nguyen. “How is it possible that someone raised
in this time period not understand the ramifications of
these relationships? In his mind, the tourist’s mind, he
thinks that Americans win every war. I think the tour
guide probably laughed it off. People often forget that
it was a civil war. North Vietnam was being backed
by the Russians and Chinese. South Vietnam was
being backed by the United States. The ideologies
and motivations became violently apparent. Vietnam
felt the brunt of that Cold War.”
In many ways, then, TPG looks to infiltrate this
space of nation-branding and create confusion or
mythologize that space. As Nguyen says, “Those
that can create meaning after prolonged moments of
confusion become prophets. Those that can’t become
artists.” And maybe, in some ways, TPG is doing a bit
of both: prophecy and artistry.
The Propeller Group
Through May 14
Phoenix Art Museum
Marshall, Hendler and Anderman Galleries
www.phxart.org
The Propeller Group, Untitled (Ox Head; The Living Need Light, The Dead Need
Music) (still), 2014. Water buffalo skull, gold leafing, and brass rings. Courtesy
of The Propeller Group and James Cohan, New York.
The Propeller Group, The AK-47 vs The M16, 2015. Fragments of AK-47 and
M16 bullets, ballistics gel. Courtesy of The Propeller Group and James Cohan,
New York.
The Propeller Group, The Living Need Light, The Dead Need Music (still), 2014.
Single-channel video (Color, 5.1 surround sound), 20 minutes. Courtesy of The
Propeller Group and James Cohan, New York.
The Propeller Group, Untitled (Snake; The Living Need Light, The Dead Need
Music) (still), 2014. Carved jackfruit wood with 24k gold fangs and brass
support. Courtesy of The Propeller Group and James Cohan, New York.
JAVA 17
MAGAZINE