This was a piece I made for the "Patriots and Renegades" show at the Garage Projects in October 2004.
It was implicitly understood that the theme of this show was the political turmoil in the US following September 11, the Iraq War and the lead up to the 2004 election. I decided that the piece I wished to create should not be provocative, but rather consist of simple, sage advice. So I took a number dispenser of the type you used to see at deli counters. I removed all the numbers, and replaced them with quotations attributed to Jesus Christ.
These sayings are not easy advice to follow! They run counter to our "eye for an eye" instincts, and it is understandable that we are not always able to live up to them. If our national policies are not always consistent with this wisdom, do we pay consequences for our shortcomings? Would we better if we did "Repay evil with good?" I believe the answer to both questions is clearly "yes." To "Bless them that curse you" may not come naturally, but I believe humans are remarkably malleable creatures with the ability to change our natural behavior in order to improve ourselves.