Blog posting written by Shea Lynch, Documentary Studies '14, FLEFF Intern, Glens Falls, New York

IF YOU MISSED THIS EVENT, YOU ARE MISSING THE FLEFF EXPERIENCE!

The inspirational socio-documentarian and artist Monica Haller discussed her evolutionary work, The Veterans Book Project, Tuesday April 12.

Working along with graphic designer Matthew Rezac and software developer Mark Fox, Haller collaborates with many war veterans from the Afghan and Iraq wars. 

"The Veterans Book Project is a library of books authored collaboratively by artist Monica Haller and dozens of people who have been affected by, and have archives of, the current American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In their printed format, the books provide a place or “container” that slows down and materializes the great quantity of ephemeral image files that live on veterans’ hard drives and in their heads.

Each book re-deploys volatile images with the aim of rearticulating and refashioning memories. It stands both independent of and in concert with the larger collection."

-The Veteran Book Project Website

The books can be accessed through PDF format on the website (click here) or available for purchase. This unique artistic exhibition is something everyone needs to be apart of!

Blog posting written by Lindsay Harrop, Cinema & Photography '13, FLEFF Intern, McMinnville, Oregon

I just got out of the Monica Haller Check-In Reading in Park 220 and have to say that it was amazing. Monica was sharing The Veterans Book Project, a library of books archiving the experiences of individuals with the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Monica works with people who have directly experienced these wars. The books are the creations of soldiers, veterans, officials and Iraqis - filled with their photos and words reflecting on their experiences.

 The session began with a Q&A from the audience with Monica and then transitioned to a reading. Each book is titled "Objects for Deployment." They are meant to be shared. So we each took a book and spent a while reading them. During a reflection afterward, one participant remarked on the private experience of reading a book in this kind of intimate setting. I definitely agreed. Reading the stories of the soldiers and other participants in these conflicts was an intimate experience that everyone present shared. In that way we really captured what the Veterans Book Project is all about - bringing people's intimate experiences to a wider group.

This is an amazing project and it isn't restricted to FLEFF. Anyone can check it out and participant on their own level. I for one plan to share the Veterans Book Project with people from home and encourage you to do the same! You can buy individual books and learn more about the project by clicking HERE.