walter willems

The idea of the AK-47 shopping bag was a response to the shopping spree by then Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez of $1 Billion USD for military equipment in Russia in February of 2007. Russia planned to deliver 30 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and 30 helicopters to Venezuela. Venezuela also planned to buy 100,000 Russian-made AK-103 assault rifles on top of the 100,000 AK-47 assault rifles they ordered in 2005. They also wanted to set up factories on its soil to produce Kalashnikovs under license. The rumour was that Chavez paid for his new toys in cash. AK-47 shopping bags were handed out to visitors of the New Remote installation during the 7th Velada de Santa Lucia exhibition in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Maracaibo Home Intervention Components: - AK-47 Gift Bags - chandelier - couch + 2 chairs - door mat - ice dancing dress + tap dance shoes - inkjet prints - kitchen chair - live drum performance - permanent markers - pink leisure suit, dress shirt and white shoes - rose petals - standing lamp - video projection - Venezuelan flag ribbon New Remote Maracaibo: Walter Willems Camilla Singh Branislav Nikolic Sherri Hay Milos Jankovic Thanks to: Clemencia Labin Armando 'Kike' Urdaneta Fefa & Kike Rodrigo Rosquete Leonardi Luis 'Pollo' Gomez Edita P Juul Haalmeyer And the Velasco Family for inviting us into their home.