'#NotABugSplat' is a massive portrait, installed face-up on a field in Pakistan, that depicts a girl who lost her entire family in a drone strike. A collective of Pakistani, American and French artists installed the portrait in Pakistan's heavily bombed Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa region with the aim of raising awareness of civilian casualties of drone strikes. The portrait's social media-friendly name is intended to spur discussion on the widespread collateral damage wrought by drone warfare.
The term "bug splat" is crass military slang for drone strikes which, viewed on grainy video through drone pilots' monitors, appear to show insects being crushed. The artists hope that by installing a portrait of an innocent child victim -- large enough to be clearly picked up by drone cameras -- the insensitivity surrounding drone strike casualties can be challenged.
The unnamed child in the portrait lost her parents and her two siblings in a drone attack.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Drone Strike Awareness
- Installing large portraits of child victims challenges the insensitivity surrounding drone strike casualties.
- Collective Activism
- Collaborating with artists from different countries can raise awareness and spur discussion on important social issues.
- Social Media Advocacy
- Creating social media-friendly initiatives can help bring attention to important causes.
Where This Applies
- Art
- Artists can use their creativity to create impactful installations that raise awareness and challenge societal norms.
- Military Technology
- The use of drone technology and its effects on civilian casualties can be explored to develop more ethical and precise warfare strategies.
- Non-profit and Humanitarian Organizations
- Organizations can collaborate with artists and activists to promote social justice and advocate for the rights of affected communities.
