This is Art
Below is a discussion post I wrote for a class this past semester. Thought I'd give it a share.
St. Louis Federal Reserve, Percentage Change in Corporate Profits and Real Median Household Income in the United States 2004-2014, 2015
At the immediate forefront of the American cultural memory over the past half century, race and gender have proven to be the minority identities deserving of the greatest concern. As outward appearing characteristics, these identities were physically seen and observed as ‘other’. However, with the passage of time, previously existing but little noticed minority identities now have the attention of the greater American conscious.
Inequality and those of lower SES (socioeconomic status) are quickly becoming some of the major issues of the 2016 presidential election cycle. Although the above image, created by the St. Louis Federal Reserve, may not have been produced with the intention of being art, the work depicts a story affecting almost all Americans.
Prior to Great Recession starting in 2007, real median household income was above $56,000. Following the Great Recession and into the beginning of 2013, real median household income fell and remains below $53,000, unlikely to return to its previous high in the near future. In contrast, corporate profits have continued to rise following the recession as reflected in the incredible gains in the stock markets around the world.
The role of art with respect to the contemporary American 'other', the have nots, is to tell a story affecting millions with a few lines, some colors, and some numbers. While we may not immediately see ourselves in this work, we are all represented by the movement of these simple, unapologetic, unfeeling economic curves.
St. Louis Federal Reserve, Percentage Change in Corporate Profits and Real Median Household Income in the United States 2004-2014, 2015At the immediate forefront of the American cultural memory over the past half century, race and gender have proven to be the minority identities deserving of the greatest concern. As outward appearing characteristics, these identities were physically seen and observed as ‘other’. However, with the passage of time, previously existing but little noticed minority identities now have the attention of the greater American conscious.
Inequality and those of lower SES (socioeconomic status) are quickly becoming some of the major issues of the 2016 presidential election cycle. Although the above image, created by the St. Louis Federal Reserve, may not have been produced with the intention of being art, the work depicts a story affecting almost all Americans.
Prior to Great Recession starting in 2007, real median household income was above $56,000. Following the Great Recession and into the beginning of 2013, real median household income fell and remains below $53,000, unlikely to return to its previous high in the near future. In contrast, corporate profits have continued to rise following the recession as reflected in the incredible gains in the stock markets around the world.
The role of art with respect to the contemporary American 'other', the have nots, is to tell a story affecting millions with a few lines, some colors, and some numbers. While we may not immediately see ourselves in this work, we are all represented by the movement of these simple, unapologetic, unfeeling economic curves.