"One Weeks Dead"

Bihn Dahn’s exhibit “One Weeks Dead”, is an amazing tribute to the lives of the soldiers who were lost in the Vietnam War. His collection of paintings, in a sense, serves as a war memorial and a symbol of patriotism. Justice and patriotism are two dominant themes in Dahn’s works. Dahn’s portraits of the men give them, and many others who lost their lives, honor for their heroic acts. A sense of patriotism is also created as one realizes that all the men in the paintings died in a fight for our country. Although these men might have come from different places, families, and backgrounds, they all were united under a common cause. Bihn Dahn’s exhibit reminds us that although the Vietnam War is history, it must always be remembered. Just like a high school yearbook (full of memories), Dahn’s exhibit features a yearbook style collection of soldier’s faces. I also found it interesting how the color contrast and foliage arrangement was different for each picture. It was if Dahn was trying to emphasize individualism and enforce the fact that, although the men were all soldiers, they were all unique in their own ways. Although the bodies of these men may have looked the same when they were found, each deserves to be remembered as an individual. Bihn Dahn’s work can also be translated into a reflection of our current war in Iraq. Dahn makes a point that individuals in war must be remembered as individuals, regardless of the large numbers of casualties. A soldier is not just a number; he is a name, a husband, a father etc. Dahn chooses a unique way to remember each individual soldier.

Sontag refers to photography by stating, “Photography supplies is not only a record of the past but a new way of dealing with the present.” (358) In his exhibit, Dahn uses the create form of art as a way to deal with the past. It is easier for people to accept what happened during the Vietnam War if they can remember those who died as individuals, not casualties. The photographs bring back memories of a happier time and help people focus on the positives. Sontag also states that, “Our unlimited use of photographic images not only reflects but gives shape to this society.” (363) The photos bring about diversity as they show differences between people and places all over the world. In Dahn’s exhibit, his photographic-like painting highlighted the differences between each man, emphasizing individualism.