Range 220
Range 220 serves as a captivating training ground where the boundaries between reality and fiction meld. Crafted meticulously by the U.S. Marine Corps in response to the post-9/11 landscape, it was completed in 2011, boasting over 1,500 structures, including a mosque, cemeteries, charred cars, Middle Eastern motifs, and market stalls laden with plastic fruits. These elements combine to construct a simulated Middle Eastern narrative, blurring the lines between authenticity and artifice.
A continuous theater production in this expansive training arena unfolds, akin to duets and arias performed on a dune-covered stage. Cameras are strategically positioned as both observers and directors, orchestrating rehearsals and informing practices for future military operations, notably urban warfare campaigns. The United States' pioneering role in establishing such facilities has catalyzed other nations to follow suit.
The inherent deception within Range 220 prompts me to delve into the intricate interplay between reality and science fiction. Through my art, I explore the complexities of what is genuine and what appears illusory, inviting viewers to ponder the multifaceted nature of this training landscape.
