James Bockelman

2005–2008 Bomb Run Cards

My current studio program has focused on a series of works on paper entitled Bomb Run Cards which explores the idea of a suspended activity as related specifically to memory, territory, and memorial.

In a dream I had several years ago, my brother and I were flying as bombardiers over some unknown enemy target. Though I can’t remember whose side we were on, I do recall the overwhelming feeling of power I experienced while sensing the topography below. As we approached our objective we were given the signal to commence bombing, which we did by furiously scratching through wax markings on a hand held card.

I do not remember observing the composition of the card, nor did I view the atmospheric conditions outside the craft or the geography below. In this way, the Bomb Run Cards are my attempt to make visual what I did not see, but non-the-less, did participate in vicariously through this dream.