What’s The Commodity?
What’s The Commodity?
ceramic, wood, home depot lid, fasteners, gift box, plastic tubing, grinding wheel, level, pvc fitting, plumbing fixture, anti skid rubber flooring
15 x 6 x 8'
2013
What’s The Commodity? Addresses architectural ornament and the balance between historical preservation and gentrification. For the first time, I have injected myself into the work through the vehicle of self-portrait. This self-portrait is presented as a gift box containing fasteners used in installations dating back to 2008 to create a historical time-line referencing my research and previous works that explore urbanism. A vignette of terra cotta ornament and plastics searches for balance, while the titular line, "What's the Commodity?" is explored through the terra cotta shipping pallets. As a whole, the work questions how our neighborhoods are being marketed and how they can be responsibly gentrified.