When you’re jaded by the Iraqi war, what do you do? Why, see one artist’s cynically ironic take on Iraqi war action figures, of course! That was my thought as I visited the Pepper Gallery in downtown Boston this weekend to see Peter Smuts’s “American Force Dolls” exhibit.

Using Barbie and G.I. Joe dolls, Smuts created a series of action figures (in packaging, with accessories) centering around the recent events in Iraq. Without going into detail on each of the half dozen or so dolls, rest assured that some dolls have shock value — such as the Homeland Bound soldier with attachable arms and legs.

Other people may get it, but I personally don’t. I mean, sure, there’s something to be said about a war throughout which we’re shown just a few archetypal roles. Yes, we often find ourselves stereotyping the players in this game; setting them up as action figures shows us the absurdity of trying to idealize the face of this war. However, I’m missing the deeper message. Viscerally, I couldn’t really appreciate the message being conveyed by this exhibit. Am I supposed to be shocked into recognition of the atrocities of the war? Am I supposed to feel like I’ve been duped by the focus of the media? Am I to sympathize with the characters on display? Should I feel angry with the administration?

I’m not exactly the target audience here, though. I don’t usually go to galleries. I’m not one of those people who go to a gallery, and utter, “Oh, I simply must have that for my living room!” I know very little about art, and even less about why people go to gallery exhibits. I just thought the exhibit sounded interesting, so decided to check it out. (Side note: the gallery scene really isn’t my idea of a good time.)

Now, if he had tossed in some My Little Pony cavalry attacking the Millenium Falcon, that I could dig! I wish I could still play with toys.