War as a consumer good

Many Europeans grew up in countries where compulsory military service had been abolished. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, however, is a brutal reminder that peace on the old continent should never be taken for granted. Debates around the rise in defence budgets are not taboo anymore. Some even suggest that it is time to reintroduce compulsory conscription in all EU countries.

Each time i hear discussions around rising defence budgets (usually at the expense of the already underfunded education, healthcare and culture sectors), i think of one of the most stunning photo series i discovered last month at the BIP/Biennale de l’Image Possible: Rafael Heygster‘s I died 22 times.

Rafael Heygster, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: young soldiers marching in their dress uniforms on the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX)

Rafael Heygster, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: A trade fair visitor is watching a demonstration of combat aircraft and warships at IDEX in Abu Dhabi

I died 22 times scrutinises the way our culture deals with warfare outside of real battlefields.

Heygster walked around arm fairs such as the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, where clients are presented with lethal and sophisticated weapons but also military bands, lavish buffets and jet fighter manoeuvres. He also visited airsoft playgrounds where people play at being at war with real tanks, dummy weapons and fake body bags.

In both contexts, war is experienced as something that can be consumed. It’s business, it’s entertainment and it’s free of casualties.

While photographing an Airsoft game, Heygster got hit, by mistake, 22 times. Hence the title, which is both eerie and a brutal reminder of the horrific realities of actual military conflicts.

Rafael Heygster, Europe, Germany, Saxony-Anhalt, Mahlwinkel: Makabre Staging: Trash bags filled with straw are supposed to imitate body bags. They are part of a multi-day airsoft festival in Mahlwinkel

Rafael Heygster, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: A military band leaves the stage after their appearance during the opening ceremony of the IDEX. A security guard is watching the spectators

Rafael Heygster, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: International trade fair visitors are filming jet fighter maneuvers at IDEX in the United Arab Emirates

‘I Died 22 Times’: War as a consumer good with photographer Rafael Heygster • FRANCE 24 English

Rafael Heygster, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: At the opening ceremony of the IDEX International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, technical innovations in the defense industry are presented to potential customers in a 20-minute play using pyrotechnics, actors and multimedia storytelling

Rafael Heygster, Asia, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: Employees of an armaments company wait for customers at their booth at IDEX

Rafael Heygster, Europe, Czech Republic, Brno 15.09.2019: Two Generals sit together at an booth on an arms Fair in Brno

Rafael Heygster, Europe, Poland, Brozek: The secret highlight of “Operation Endzeit – Rolling Steel” is the appearance of a stripper on the last evening. Their appearance was already days before topic of conversation among the participants

Rafael Heygster, Europe, Poland, Brozek: The fleet of a Polish airsoft “playing field” at Brozek also includes a discarded, Russian T55 tank. For the fun of the participants round trips are offered with the combat vehicle

Rafael Heygster, Europe, Poland, Brozek: A “playing field” near Brozek in Poland, a few kilometres over the German border. This field is run by Germans. As Polish laws are more relaxed than in Germany, players are allowed to adjust their weapons so that they can shoot faster, harder and further. You can also buy pyrotechnics from small stalls every few hundred metres as you approach the field