Consolidated Mess

Installation, Reclaimed wood, cardboard, contact paper, reclaimed furniture, burlap, netting, ribbon, air force pins, found ephemera, WWII era photographs, Afghan war rug, sound, Glazed ceramic, mixed media, Curated artworks and objects from veterans and their families, social practice 2022

An interactive artist residency and exhibition at Marin MoCA, informed by the Hamilton Airfield historical archives housed at the Hamilton Field History Museum in Novato, California.

Lexa Walsh: Consolidated Mess is an interactive artist residency and exhibition responding to the Hamilton Airfield historical archives housed at the Hamilton Field History Museum (HFHM) in Novato, CA. Sited in the base’s original war room, which played a significant role in readying aircraft and crews for overseas combat during World War II, the project’s title draws from the base’s common space—the mess hall—which brought together all factions of the military for general convening, discussion, and the sharing of meals. I am interested in the complexities of war: how do we find value in some wars over others, who is valued, and how does this value change with time?

Inspired by the HFHM’s collection of mess hall menus, trophies, awards, military decorations, and Women’s Army Corps (WAC) memorabilia, I created an immersive environment riffing on the base’s renown as the “country club airbase” which acts as a ‘clubhouse’ for a fictitious female veteran of WWII. Her character is revealed by my choices of decor and ephemera, informed by interviews with veterans, yet leaves room for the viewer to envision possibilities about her persona. The clubhouse is a space for listening and storytelling, including a sound component that invites visitors to listen to interviews with veterans and others affected by war conducted during my residency at MarinMOCA.

Objects accompanying the installation include a large series of my ceramic and mixed media military ‘decorations’ and a selection of artworks and memorabilia contributed by participating interviewees. I've curated a 'show within the show' from interviewees, veteran and combat artists Fanny Garcia, John Rogers, Ehren Tool, John Wehrle and Marcy Voyevod. Initially conceived during the United States’ retreat from Afghanistan, ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Ukraine have only amplified the importance of these conversations in our polarized times.

I hosted two events related to the exhibition as well: a ceramics workshop with artist and combat veteran Ehren Tool, and a Tea Talk with veterans and others to discuss the following questions: Where is the line between defending your beliefs and tolerating others’? What is a recipe for preventing war? What is a recipe for healing from war?

Listen below to interviews with the following veterans and their families, and others affected by war.