war becomes normal
Does the last sentence of the provided context mean "Wall depicts dead soldiers in normal situations, that is in contrast with what really happens in wars. Therefore, Wall is actually representing an abnormal image of war by showing soldiers in normal situations. Wall by showing a normal image of war wants to show us how abnormal this image of war actually is"?

Text:
The Canadian Jeff Wall’s Dead Troops Talk (A Vision after an Ambush of a Red Army Patrol, near Moqor, Afghanistan, Winter 1986) (1992) is an extraordinary essay on photography. But here the tables turn: Wall looks back to history painting for inspiration to create a photographic image of an event that he never witnessed and only imagined. Dead men do not talk, but the thirteen– sometimes severely wounded – Soviet soldiers are lounging around a shell-crater, chatting and relaxing. Here, war becomes normal, but Wall, in undertaking the exercise, shows us how abnormal it really is (Art and War by Laura Brandon).

Question

war becomes normal
Does the last sentence of the provided context mean "Wall depicts dead soldiers in normal situations, that is in contrast with what really happens in wars. Therefore, Wall is actually representing an abnormal image of war by showing soldiers in normal situations. Wall by showing a normal image of war wants to show us how abnormal this image of war actually is"?

Text:
The Canadian Jeff Wall’s Dead Troops Talk (A Vision after an Ambush of a Red Army Patrol, near Moqor, Afghanistan, Winter 1986) (1992) is an extraordinary essay on photography. But here the tables turn: Wall looks back to history painting for inspiration to create a photographic image of an event that he never witnessed and only imagined. Dead men do not talk, but the thirteen– sometimes severely wounded – Soviet soldiers are lounging around a shell-crater, chatting and relaxing. Here, war becomes normal, but Wall, in undertaking the exercise, shows us how abnormal it really is (Art and War by Laura Brandon).

Answer

https://www.thebroad.org/art/jeff-wall/dead-troops-talk-vision-after-ambush-red-army-patrol-near-moqor-afghanistan-winter

Here is the artwork so people can answer with their interpretations. With an art critics/expert? giving their assessment. 
I think you have made a good assessment of the text.
Jeff Wall did not ever witness such a scene, it is purely created in his mind. He is criticising modern living as well as war photography.

Both your answers are correct all within the same image. 
Art. photography and music are the three key arts, where a good artist in their field will illicit opposing responses from the viewers or listeners of the lyrics. That is what makes art.

Answer

Hi Pinapple,

It is a bit difficult to know exactly what the image(s) being spoken about actually show without having a look (perhaps if you have a link image it could help), but my interpretation is that Wall has recreated a war-like scene by depicting severely injured soldiers performing normal activities (chatting or relaxing) as if war wasn’t ‘so bad’. I hope that helps a bit.

Take care,
Triss