COLL.EO

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED

DESCRIPTION

Shadow box case with black frame and red background measuring 16" x 16" containing the following medals: Department Of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Department of Defense Superior Service Military Medal, Aerial Achievement Military Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, Air and Space Campaign Medal and respective metal plates. 

DATE

March 20, 2013

ARTIST STATEMENT

In videogame jargon, the term “achievement” - often known as medal, stamp, trophy, badge or award - refers to a meta-goal defined outside of a game’s criteria for success. In other words, an achievement is a symbolic title awarded to the player for its skills and dexterity. Achievements can be “unlocked” by the player and their visibility transcends the game environment. For example, they can be displayed alongside the player’s profile in gaming social networks like Xbox Live, where each user is identified by a “gamertag”. Achievements are a visible form of recognition for the players’ ludic performances. Albeit virtual, they perform the same function as “real” medals.

On February 13, 2013, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced a new Distinguished Warfare Medal to award the most effective military drone pilots. Such achievement - which ranks higher than both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart medals - is awarded to troops who have a direct impact on combat operations, but do it from afar. The  “drone medal” is the first combat-related award to be created since the Bronze Star in 1944. The medal is a brass pendant, nearly two inches tall, with a laurel wreath that circles a globe. It displays an eagle in the center and it is adorned with a blue, red and white striped ribbon.

COLL.EO is Colleen Flaherty and Matteo Bittanti

San Francisco March 20, 2013