CHECKPOINT C

In 2019, The Office for Public Art and RethinkVets jointly announced the selection of Ricardo Iamuuri Robinson as the artist in residence for the RethinkVets coalition. Over the course of a two-year initiative, Robinson actively engaged with members of the post-9/11 veteran community, facilitating a series of workshops, discussions, and virtual forums.

Through his deep integration within the veteran community, a collaborative experience emerged, leading to the creation of a final work of art. This particular artistic endeavor takes the form of a sound installation, serving as the culmination of diverse perspectives and commentaries on a sensitive and unaddressed issue.

Known as Checkpoint C, this interior, intermedia, time-based sound installation is housed within a mobile shipping container measuring 20 X 8 feet. The container has been specially retrofitted to convey a complex scene that establishes a connection between civilians and veterans. Within this space, the installation delves into the impact of information streams and mindless consumerism, which contribute to the widening gap between these two communities. By immersing viewers in a multi-sensory experience, the installation incorporates visual elements, temporal and spatial dimensions, and situates listeners within a simulated sandy environment, evoking a sense of being present with boots on the ground.