"Hide Your Head in the Sand"
August 4, 2023 11:07 AM Subscribe
The walls of the Pentagon are covered in many paintings and photographs. On the Fifth floor, 10th corridor, D ring, there's something more unusual. From Task & Purpose: "Behold the glory of the Pentagon’s Porta John painting"
The Military Times also wrote about it: "Pentagon Porta-John painting the unwitting unifier of officer-enlisted"
The painting, titled "Hide Your Head in the Sand", depicts a lone porta-potty standing in the flat Iraqi desert. Partially covered with camouflage netting. With two concrete barriers providing a slightly secure entrance. The painting is by Harley Copic, who was mostly known for his detailed paintings of combat aircraft (Facebook). No one is certain why Copic decided to immortalize a porta-potty in wartime.
The painting was originally posted on Twitter (Nitter mirror). The replies are worthwhile for all the not so fond memories from vets.
The Military Times also wrote about it: "Pentagon Porta-John painting the unwitting unifier of officer-enlisted"
The painting, titled "Hide Your Head in the Sand", depicts a lone porta-potty standing in the flat Iraqi desert. Partially covered with camouflage netting. With two concrete barriers providing a slightly secure entrance. The painting is by Harley Copic, who was mostly known for his detailed paintings of combat aircraft (Facebook). No one is certain why Copic decided to immortalize a porta-potty in wartime.
The painting was originally posted on Twitter (Nitter mirror). The replies are worthwhile for all the not so fond memories from vets.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Poster's Request -- taz
I see an absolute ut pictura poesis of W. H. Auden's The Shield of Achilles.
posted by MonsieurPEB at 11:14 AM on August 4, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by MonsieurPEB at 11:14 AM on August 4, 2023 [6 favorites]
Those Air Force guys had it good. Infantry shits in a hole in the ground.
But I do applaud the inclusion of art depicting actual reality in the "hallowed halls of the perfumed princes."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2023
But I do applaud the inclusion of art depicting actual reality in the "hallowed halls of the perfumed princes."
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2023
It would take a lot of self-deception to see that Porta-John as secured.
The Army definition of "secured" is locked.
The Navy definition of "secured" is tied down.
The Marine definition of "secured" is rubble.
The Air Force definition of "secured" is lease signed.
posted by Etrigan at 12:21 PM on August 4, 2023 [30 favorites]
The Army definition of "secured" is locked.
The Navy definition of "secured" is tied down.
The Marine definition of "secured" is rubble.
The Air Force definition of "secured" is lease signed.
posted by Etrigan at 12:21 PM on August 4, 2023 [30 favorites]
I like the concrete slabs presumably protecting it from attack by extremely light armoured vehicles.
posted by Artw at 12:22 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 12:22 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
hellava missle silo
posted by clavdivs at 12:46 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by clavdivs at 12:46 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
I like the concrete slabs presumably protecting it from attack by extremely light armoured vehicles.
They're protecting the porta-pottie from being knocked over by wind.
And by "wind", I mean "bored enlisted personnel".
And by "enlisted personnel", I mean that it is a slanderous lie that I ever participated in such hijinks.
posted by Etrigan at 12:50 PM on August 4, 2023 [21 favorites]
They're protecting the porta-pottie from being knocked over by wind.
And by "wind", I mean "bored enlisted personnel".
And by "enlisted personnel", I mean that it is a slanderous lie that I ever participated in such hijinks.
posted by Etrigan at 12:50 PM on August 4, 2023 [21 favorites]
Wall of fake porta-potties at Burning Man 2010
posted by jeffburdges at 1:04 PM on August 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jeffburdges at 1:04 PM on August 4, 2023 [2 favorites]
That is one of the most brilliant and cruel things I have ever seen.
posted by Artw at 1:19 PM on August 4, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by Artw at 1:19 PM on August 4, 2023 [5 favorites]
Harley Copic’s obit. “He would not paint a plane unless he experienced it, his son said.”
So he probably had experienced a Porta-John, too.
posted by Ideefixe at 2:55 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
So he probably had experienced a Porta-John, too.
posted by Ideefixe at 2:55 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
Magnificent!...I love this so much...I occasionally see trucks delivering said items to events in town...And of course I used them when in the service to our country...ours were rather basic...this must be the deluxe version...
posted by Czjewel at 3:56 PM on August 4, 2023
posted by Czjewel at 3:56 PM on August 4, 2023
Love how in the first link the photo caption helpfully clarifies that the person is on the left.
posted by nickmark at 4:49 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by nickmark at 4:49 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
I never made it to the 5th floor, I believe.
But I always wanted to ride a bike around at night- those wide ramps between floors.
Also never saw much in the way of art in the P-gin.
posted by MtDewd at 6:05 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
But I always wanted to ride a bike around at night- those wide ramps between floors.
Also never saw much in the way of art in the P-gin.
posted by MtDewd at 6:05 PM on August 4, 2023 [1 favorite]
hellava missle silo
More for dropping bombs than launching missiles, I think
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 6:01 AM on August 5, 2023
More for dropping bombs than launching missiles, I think
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 6:01 AM on August 5, 2023
I love it! It's beautifully executed, it's relevant, and sure, a slightly surprising subject. The linked article has kind of the same tone, really, direct and with just a bit of irony while mostly being on the square.
posted by Nelson at 7:34 AM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Nelson at 7:34 AM on August 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Second sailor in line clearly needs to pee.
posted by kirkaracha at 11:12 AM on August 5, 2023
posted by kirkaracha at 11:12 AM on August 5, 2023
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posted by rikschell at 11:14 AM on August 4, 2023 [3 favorites]