Every once in a while, something weird comes along (weird in a good way), that really makes me sit up and take notice. "Marwencol" is one of those things. It's the name given to a WWII Belgian village inhabited by Barbie dolls and G.I. Joes, the brain-child of one Mark Hogencamp, who suffered brain damage from the severe beating he got in a bar fight back in the year 2000. He couldn't afford ongoing care or therapy, so he decided to find his own way through Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by creating this village.
It all seems very intriguing, yet somehow disturbing. It's odd to see someone's psyche so raw and exposed. The images draw me in, making me feel almost voyeuristic, despite having been invited to watch through the photographs he took of his various vignettes. It undoubtedly provided an opportunity for him to look at his life from another perspective. Quite literally.
Marwencol | Documentary about Mark Hogancamp | Independent Lens | PBS
Hey, it's his village, his dolls, and his therapy.
Thanks for the heads up on the program...it looks very interesting in a sad sort of way. I give the guy a lot of credit for realizing he has the power to say this is not the end of his story because of his brain injury. Powerful...looking forward to seeing this. Thanks Teresa.
ReplyDeleteWow...fascinating! Amazing!
ReplyDeleteSaw an advert for this today AM. Fascinating. Fact stranger than fiction.
ReplyDeleteHow extraordinary..and as you say, somewhat disturbing.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, how's your yard work coming. I can't get out there. Snow again this morning. It will melt but I guess it just gets too cold here at night. I loved that photo of you and your sisters. Such cuties.
ReplyDeleteLove and peace.
MG, I find it interesting that he also has to look at where he wants his life to go, where the art world would take him, away from his village, or back into it in order to stay where he has grown comfortable. We shall see...
ReplyDeleteLynn, It is fascinating in an odd way, isn't it? Really, quiet an accomplishment.
Li, Stranger than fiction, indeed.
Joan, I hope life is good to him here on out....
Manzanita, It's not very green, but the snow is gone. I'm nicking away at it when buddy is out to play. Thank you. :)
I feel so fortunate that I have a theater that will show this, and now that I've been alerted to the documentary, I'll watch it. Thank you for this, and for the pictures. Off to read the piece.
ReplyDeleteDJan, It is disturbing, but also something we might need to take a look at. What is it saying, not just about him, but about our culture?
ReplyDeleteA very unique way to express history as one might see it.I am impressed with his dioramas, Belgium carried an inner strength during the perils of WWII.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...Finding a way to cope is good therapy...
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I hope to see the film as well.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the trailer and am in awe. What an amazing person...it's only disturbing if you don't recognize the therapeutic value it had for him. I'm so impressed. Thanks for posting this, Teresa.
ReplyDeleteProvocative is not adequate.
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteAs you so eloquently say here, this is strange and yet rather marvellous all at the same time. We have never heard of Marwencol and are certainly not sure that we should wish to visit, but it is rather remarkable how a tormented soul can find solace in the most curious of ways.
We have discovered you by chance and have so enjoyed browsing through your previous posts. We are Followers.
Steve, I am impressed with his sense of history in the face of such personal calamity.
ReplyDeletePaul, that is what is so impressive to me: his ability to find a way to cope, even more intensely personal than therapy itself might be and to do so quite publicly.
BB, I think it speaks in ways that are hard for us to understand, but that's what I find so intriguing.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I love your statement, "It's only disturbing if you don't recognize the therapeutic value for him." That's a very kind and good way to view it. Thank You, very much.
Cletis, A very apt word to describe it.
ReplyDeleteJane and Lance, I have just returned from a visit to your "place," and what a lively and interesting place it is. I'm so glad we found each other. I look forward to reading more of your life in Brighton and in Budapest.
ReplyDeleteHe seems to live in a very violent world.
ReplyDeleteSome of the images are quite disturbing.
Hi Friko, Well, what happened to him was certainly a very violent act. This is what I've tried to understand: The images are really no different than many of those we've seen in movies and films of WWII. We may not like war films, but we tend not to question a great director, such as Steven Spielberg, when he re-creates many scenes depicting the violence of war, in such films as "Saving Private Ryan," or "Schindler's List." I think the fact that this man is using dolls to depict these scenes, rather than live actors on film, is what makes them seem more disturbing. Perhaps? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteTeresa,
ReplyDeleteJust finished watching the doc on Mark Hogencamp, and was totally blown away by the imagination Mark's mind was able to maintain after the beating that left him a changed man. In so many ways it changed him for the better.
Just wanted to say thanks for letting me know about Marwencol...enjoyed this documentary very much.
Thank you.
Art is indeed therapeutic, very intriguing, disturbing and amazing all at the same time, I will check the links,
ReplyDeleteMG, I'm so glad you watched and were able to take away all the good that ensued due to his creation of his village. I try not to judge what works for others and it sounds like it saved his life on many levels, and yes, he is changed for the better because of it. Thank You for coming back to share your response.
ReplyDeleteLinda, Art as therapy. It's wonderful, what art can do for the soul.
ReplyDelete