Analysis of Tomasz Bajer’s “Minimalism of Guantanamo”

06/12/22

note: I made this one for school but I think it was pretty ok so im sharing it here. :>

Analysis of Tomasz Bajer’s “Minimalism of Guantanamo”

Tomasz Bajer, Installation, 2008 MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków. The viewer is presented with a steel cell coated in off-white paint and of a mere 200 x 150 x 200 cm in size. Within the cell itself we can see an array of different objects likely belonging to that of the theoretical inmate. All of the inmates' possessions, such as clothes, a towel and foot-wear, are neatly folded and fit perfectly on the narrow bed. In addition to those items, a few religious and ceremonial objects, such as a Quran, that rests on a fabric book sling, hung from the cell wall. The most notable detail of the installation is the plaque attached to the door of the cell. In bold letters it reads “Minimalism of Guantanamo. ‘Honor bound to defend freedom’” The entire installation is intended to be a replica of Yasser Talal al Zahrani’s prison cell, a suspected terrorist that was tortured by American enforcers, and died imprisoned.

Tomasz Bajer’s piece, through simply showing the authentic living conditions of prisoners in Guantanamo, criticizes the draconian American justice system while also posing an important question about morality and human rights. While observing the installation, it doesn't take long for viewers to identify that the conditions provided to the inmate are pushing on the boundaries for what could be considered morally justifiable for even the worst of criminals. For any person who has never lived in such conditions, it can be challenging to imagine having your possessions, as well as the space you occupy, reduced to the barest possible minimum. With the additional context of this being the cell of a suspect, who was brutally tortured by American officials, it is difficult to ignore the blatant undermining of human rights the U.S justice system willingly partakes in.

The plaque attached to the door of the cell presents more direct criticism through satire and irony. The first and most prominent phrase on the plaque, while also being the title of the installation, is a sarcastic remark about the extreme conditions imposed onto the inmates of Guantanamo. Inmates, after being provided with only the barest necessities coincidentally seem to fit with the aesthetic qualities of the artistic movement known as Minimalism. The irony of the title being that the choices of the cell's original designers were rooted in cruelty, rather than an artistic endeavor. Coupled with the title is a phrase in quotes “Honor bound to defend freedom”. The irony of the word freedom being plastered onto a tiny cell exists to underline the hypocrisy of U.S.A’s prescription to a draconian justice system while also accepting the protection of freedom as a core value of American identity.

To conclude, despite the simplicity of Bajer’s piece it provides ample criticism of the oppressive justice system of a country with the highest incarceration rate in the world (“Incarceration Rates”, 2022). Bajer did not need to say much nor add to the raw reality of the reconstruction for the message to be adequately delivered. This was easily my favorite piece from the permanent exhibition of MOCAK because of its authenticity, and the subject matter being of personal interest to me. I hope to see more like it in the future.

Bibliography:

World Population Review. Incarceration Rates by Country 2022. Retrieved Dec 6, 2022, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/incarceration-rates-by-country