Michigan: Land of Riches (2010)
Land of Riches (Michigan vitrine detail)
Found object collection, latex paint, vinyl text
2010
Sample display text:
NON-HUMAN ANIMALS
What interests me most about these particular objects are the widely varying levels of abstraction, from highly realistic to overtly cartoonish. Such representations reflect the profound psychological disconnect that occurs during our childhood, as the animals we instinctually love and are taught to respect (and which serve as the inspiration for cute toys and Disney films) are also introduced as the contents of our dinner.
Culture is a powerful force in negating our natural reverence for non-human animals. The more we abstract other species, the less guilty we feel about exploiting them for entertainment, food, or sport. After all, a cartoon or an inanimate object cannot feel pain as we do.