The new exhibition that's bound to be a hit
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Visitors to Ben Turnbull's new exhibition should prepare themselves for not only a visual assault but an aural one too.
As they browse his latest protest pop art – including a toy model of Captain America wielding the severed head of Saddam Hussein and a barbed wire-encased crib filled with babies dressed in orange jumpsuits (Breeding Terrorism) – they will be serenaded by tunes from the "torture playlist".
These are the tunes used by American interrogators to disorient, shock and induce sleep deprivation in their prisoners in Iraq.
Among those tracks played over and over again, often at ear-splitting volume, there are the obviously angry – "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls on Parade", anything by Eminem – and the jingoistic – Don McLean's "American Pie", Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" – to the downright irritating, including the Sesame Street theme tune.
"What we're talking about here is people in a darkened room, physically inhibited by handcuffs, bags over their heads and music blaring at them," says David Gray, whose "Babylon" has apparently been used as a torture instrument at Abu Ghraib.
"That is nothing but torture. It doesn't matter what the music is – it could be Tchaikovsky's finest or it could be Barney the Dinosaur – it's going to drive you nuts."
A Nightmare on Greek Street, Lazarides Gallery, London W1 (020-3214 0055), 25 July to 22 August
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments