Missing image

© The Artist

UNTITLED (FROM THE SERIES FRIENDLY FIRE; WEEKEND WARGAMES IN BRITAIN 1989-1994) 1992

Anna Fox (1961 – )

Details

Dimension
50.8 X 61 CM
Media
C-TYPE COLOUR PRINT
Accession number
P6169

Summary

This work comes from the series Weekend War Games. In 1994 the artist wrote of the work ‘During the late 1980s, the game of paintball became one of Britain’s most popular pastimes – every weekend hoards of people gathered at various woodland and indoor sites around the country for paintball tournaments. Imported from the United States into Britain, it has been quickly taken up companies who see it as a potential training ground for the development of ‘team spirit’ and sales tactics. Essentially, to be good, you must be able to demonstrate severe aggression during play. The aim of the game is to capture the enemy flag. En route to this climax, two teams fight it out, killing as many of the opposition as possible by firing painful plastic marbles full of orange paint. A visible orange splat on your clothing indicates that you are dead and must return to base camp. Professional players, who try to play weekly, expect to pay between £300-£400 for their CO2 powered weapons and more for special clothing. There is a high level of fashion consciousness within the sport – ‘the jacket is well finished and fully-lined – ideal in cold weather for posing in the safe zone’ a journalist announces.

Documentary Dilemmas Aspects of British Documentary Photography 1983-1993, The British Council 1994