Vasudevan collaborated with Pakistani American artist Atif Ateeq.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: An Indian American artist and educator has designed an interactive multimedia installation to explore the issue of the deaths that occur during police gun battles.
The “Hands Up” digital exhibit is about “generating empathy”, said Roopa Vasudevan, who created it with fellow Pakistani American artist Atif Ateeq, according to IANS.
According to IANS:
“Hands Up” simulates the high-adrenaline gunbattle situation in a cacophony of shouts, commands and sirens in a dark scenario ripped by sudden flashes of blue, white and red police car beacons, invoking a sense of dread and foreboding.
As the intimidating voice of the law orders “Hands up,” and a visitor responds, bursts of light simulate gunfire and sounds of explosion ricochet. The viewers are plunged into the virtual reality of split second decisions that become the arbiters of death and life.
Vasudevan explained that her piece seeks to explore the imbalance of power between the police and those they supposedly serve.
“Obviously, most of the focus in the media recently has been on interactions with African American men, but it’s worth noting that this speaks to a larger story of how minorities are looked at and treated in this country,” she told INANS.
Meanwhile, president of the Patrolmnen’s Benevolent Association, Pat Lynch, told PIX11 that he has not seen the installation, but he has heard about it.
“Everyone has a right of their opinion, and New York City police officers will protect that right, but this misrepresents what goes on each and every day,” said Lynch.
“This exhibit is not about any specific police precinct or any specific state or city or anything like that, it’s a larger conversation that we’re trying to get involved in,” Vasudevan explained to the TV news station.