Desktop Operation: There’s no place like home (10th Example of Rapid Dominance: Em City) 2003 by Glenn Kaino, is a giant replica of the mini Japanese sand gardens that might appear on a CEO’s desk; but the work’s connection to a peaceful mind and sharp focus, that sand gardens are suppose to cultivate, is wishful thinking.

In the middle of Kaino’s sandbox stands a six-foot tall replica of the Emerald city from the Wizard of Oz . Surrounding the city are X’s and O’s representative of a battle plan. The Emerald City is commonly thought to represent Washington D.C. (of the 1890s)and the unsecured  “green back”  which only has value because of a collective illusion.A term that can easily be applied the road to war in 2003.

Kaino’s combination of  the economic interpretation of the Wizard of Oz with the plan to invade Iraq in 2003 (the year the piece was exhibited). Confronts the viewer with the fragile nature of the “shock and awe” plan (also know as rapid dominance) used in Baghdad.  It’s colossal spectacle but total lack of structure is a kin to building a magnificent castle out of sand.