Over the last several years I have created a series of works for the Annual VSU Faculty Exhibition. I made a piece for the 2007 Faculty Exhibition, titled “The Industrial Complex.” Featured in the 2008 Faculty Exhibition was a piece titled “Alternative Industrial Complex #003.”  For the 2009 exhibit, I constructed a piece that continues the theme of the original 2007 sculpture, inspired by Dwight Eisenhower’s farewell address and confronts some current  issues in our economy and politics.

This installation is constructed from a variety of materials, found objects, metal pipes, recycled “Empire” firebrick from our old soda kiln - digital transfers, spray painted stencils - and includes a Kahla porcelain

cup/saucer made in Germany, poplar plywood imported from China and a hand truck made in the USA.

The cup has the word “CONSUME” printed on it with a variety of definitions listed below in 6 point type, forcing the viewer to get very close to the piece. Inside the cup are 300 barcodes individually cut, they are the barcode equivalent of, “portrait” of the artist.

On the upper portion of the plywood is a stamp from the country of origin, reading “Made in China.” The hand truck is positioned behind the piece, it is a tool that my students and I often use in the studio. It is old rusted, and has taken much abuse in it’s 9 years of service. The US flag and “Made in the USA” sticker are nearly worn off of the fender that protects one of the wheels.

This piece is an exercise in design, concept/content, type, narrative and occupation of space. The “box” could be perceived as a crate, however functions as the pedestal in the gallery. The 2 arrows indicating direction are often found on packaging, on this piece they repeat the 2 metal stacks on the top, while directing your eye up to the main focus of the piece, which is the cup and stacks or chimneys. The bricks have the word Empire” stamped on them. I often use words and text that have multiple definitions, placed in a new context for subtle insight. Lastly, the price of this series of work, always 1,099 - Referencing the beloved and infamous tax form, as one of my former students pointed out.

Ultimately, I want the piece to function on a variety of levels to a wide audience. I do not want to “punch the viewer in the face,” rather pull the viewer in with good design, interesting aesthetic, subtle questions and answers. Hopefully they/you will think about the piece even after you’ve left the gallery.

In 2008, I wrote, “Maybe next year I’ll make something more upbeat, when gas is under 4 bucks a gallon.” Well, it’s under, but not by much...and now my insurance keeps going up. There’s always next year.

The 2009 VSU Art Faculty exhibition: September 21-October 9, 2009

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   >> To view the entire “The Industrial Complex” 3 piece series: Click Here >>