Terence Gower's Artangel commission Enemies and Rascals is a haunting sound installation that revisits the first time the United States made proprietorial moves toward Canada during the 1775-76 American war of independence. Housed inside a neo-Gothic Victorian library, the work uses 18th-century diplomatic dispatches, government pronouncements, and pamphlets to paint a bleak picture of America's founding. Gower's piece suggests that US freedom was born bad, a malign poison in human history that has culminated in the bullying threats of President Donald J Trump during his second term.
The installation walks visitors through empty metal bookshelves in a darkened space, where actors voice quotes from George Washington (introduced as a “Virginia plantation owner”) and Benjamin Franklin (“printer”). These founders sound like rapacious thugs desperate to seize Canadian land, particularly Indigenous territories. The work is a stark reflection of how little hope or affection the US now inspires globally as it prepares to celebrate its 250th Independence Day.
The Historical Context: US Imperialism and Hypocrisy
Gower's installation draws on surprising sources, including 18th-century literary giant Samuel Johnson, who pointed out that American colonists shouting most loudly about liberty were all slaveowners. Quoted sources suggest that while the British in the 1700s left large lands in the possession of Indigenous nations, the rascally US revolutionaries couldn't wait to despoil them. This adds nascent imperialism and precocious Trumpism to the infamous original sin of American Independence in 1776: its failure to extend its promise of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” to the Africans it enslaved.
The work is a pessimistic vision of not-so-great America, showing that the US always was hypocritical, grasping, and mendacious. Gower's Enemies and Rascals revisits the first US attempt to annex Canada, a theme that resonates with current Trump-era threats. The installation is a cold, measured accumulation of evidence that US freedom was born bad, making it a timely piece for the 250th anniversary of the US.
Artistic Execution: A Boring History Podcast?
If you are expecting another Hamilton giving the dirty lowdown with style and panache, forget it. Enemies and Rascals turns out to be the world's most boring history podcast. Even with its obvious ironic relevance to current US-Canadian relations, it buries any bite in a recitation of sources without interpretation, discussion, or comment. In an actual history podcast, you might get debate about what happened between the fledgling US and Britain's colony to the north in the 1770s, why, and what it all meant, perhaps even some jokes. Here, you are just crushed by quotes.
At intervals, the voices fall silent and you hear windswept northern plains, perhaps a distant storm. The installation is icy and measured, but it lacks the energy and nuance that could make its historical critique truly powerful. Gower's work is a must-see for those interested in the dark side of American history, but it may leave general audiences feeling underwhelmed.
Why This Matters Now
The timing of Enemies and Rascals is impeccable, as the US prepares to celebrate its 250th Independence Day amid global criticism and domestic turmoil. The installation serves as a reminder that the US's founding ideals were deeply flawed, and that these flaws continue to shape its foreign policy and domestic politics. Gower's work is a call to reflect on the true cost of American freedom, from slavery to Indigenous dispossession to modern-day imperialism.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of US-Canada relations and the historical roots of American aggression, Enemies and Rascals offers a sobering perspective. However, its dry presentation may limit its impact to art historians and political junkies rather than the broader public.
FAQ Section
What is Terence Gower's Enemies and Rascals about?
Terence Gower's Enemies and Rascals is a sound installation that revisits the first US attempt to annex Canada during the 1775-76 American war of independence. It uses 18th-century documents to argue that US freedom was born bad, highlighting the hypocrisy of founding fathers who were slaveowners and imperialists.
How does the installation relate to Donald Trump?
While Trump is not mentioned by name, the installation draws a direct line from the US's founding imperialism to the bullying threats Trump has made toward Canada during his second term. Gower suggests that the US's manifest destiny was always to produce a figure like Trump.
Is Enemies and Rascals worth visiting?
If you are interested in a deep, historical critique of American founding myths, it is worth visiting for its scholarly rigor. However, the installation is dry and quote-heavy, lacking the interpretive flair of a show like Hamilton. It may not appeal to general audiences looking for entertainment.
