Noysky Projects presents "Let’s Play War!", a solo exhibition by Nathan Vincent that examines the origins of American male violence in children’s game play. Originally conceived for the Bellevue Arts Museum, "Let’s Play War!" is an immersive installation containing a squad of crocheted, child-sized sculptures based on the likenesses of plastic army
men.As the viewer navigates through "Let’s Play War!", they are confronted with a grown-up version of a toy that exhibits various levels of violence, dominance, competition, and anger – details that are minimized with the original plastic toy. But contrary to the child’s experience of fun and exploration, the adult viewer is made to feel a sense of dread and anxiety as they are confronted with the dramatic
scene.By using accessible materials and iconography, Vincent juxtaposes a hyper-masculine fireteam of army men with soft crocheted yarn – a stereotypically feminine medium. "Let’s Play War!" fosters a duality that exists outside perceived stereotypes, exploring deeply embedded codes of conduct while highlighting some of the challenges to overcoming toxic masculinity.