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Larry and Debby Kline
The Game at Hand
© Larry and Debby
Kline 2002
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The game of chess has
always been a metaphor for conflict and war. The Game at Hand addresses
America’s current global conflicts, and is a poignant commentary on US
involvement in both hot and cold wars in the Middle East. At a
distance, this piece appears to be simply a beautifully hand-made chess
set. Closer inspection, however, reveals the futility of this
game. As viewers are encouraged to play, it becomes evident that
the game cannot be conducted fairly even with the most conscientious of
intentions. Once engaged, players become quickly confused; the
player controlling the US side of the board cannot adequately
strategize and the opponent will eventually violate the rules of the
game either knowingly or unknowingly.
The most striking feature of this set is the phalanx of
burka-clad figures. Their presence can be understood in
many ways. The obvious observation is that they appear to be
unarmed. Does this speak of the slaughter of
innocents? Perhaps, however, a cynic might believe
these to be combatants in disguise. |
How does one determine
one’s
enemies and how does one determine rank amidst disguises? Perhaps
the burka-clad figure’s lack of individuality speaks of the need to
stereotype and dehumanize one’s enemies. The viewer
then becomes aware that the American footsoldiers also lack
individuality.
The reality of war is that military strategists cannot afford to mourn
the loss of individuals.
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Replacing
one of the traditional bishops on the American side is a
figure modeled after Rabbi Sandy Sasso, one of the first ordained
female rabbis in Jewish history. Her presence on the board as a
spiritual leader addresses
issues of women’s rights and American opportunity. It is also a
reminder that although many religious sects in America now allow the
ordination of women, many of these advances have been made only in the
past few decades.
 The Game
at Hand encourages cultural dialogue and gives permission to
openly discuss deeply-rooted fears. Recently exhibited at the
Cross
Cultural Center at University of California, San Diego, the work led to
many hours of discussion among university students and visitors.
The
piece brought together disparate cultures on an unusual but common
ground
– the playing field of war.
The Klines were awarded a grant from the Gunk Foundation in 2004.
The grant will assist the Klines in travelling this piece to major
metropolitan cities across the nation where the public will attempt to
play The Game at Hand. The Game at Hand has been installed and
filmed on the campus of Arizona State University during the week of the
2004 Presidential Debates. The work has also been installed in
San Francisco at Market and Fifth Streets, a location famous for
street chess matches. Participants are being videotaped as part
of the permanent record of the piece. The film will be offered
for sale at www.jugglingklines.com when completed.
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