Pacifier by Saher Nassar
Saher Nassar (b. Gaza, 1986) challenges the glorification of violence in this ironic work, where a pacifier replaces a soldier’s medal. This unexpected substitution subverts traditional symbols of valor, highlighting vulnerability and innocence instead of pride and aggression. The pacifier becomes a quiet emblem of empathy, contrasting sharply with the usual markers of military honor. Alongside it, a banana—placed like a smile—introduces a touch of absurdity, hinting at the forced normalization of violence. Together, these elements offer a sharp critique of militarized identity and the emotional contradictions of life under occupation.
