The following images were taken for my final project assignment in Honors 102. The project was to create a novel piece of art in whatever medium one wished. For my individual art project, I had an innate desire to construct a piece of work that was not situated on a canvas. I felt that if I produced a painting I would be reigning in my creativity and that it would lack substance and meaning. I originally intended to make a video project, but in the spur of the moment an idea popped into my head to make a house. Not just any house, but one that contained my thoughts on society and self. On the outside my house would look maybe not “normal” but approachable and endearing. Inside, however, holds the dark inner workings of my brain and my perception of others. I wanted the interior to solely be composed of grayscale furniture, flooring, walls, and people. My people are all situated in front of technology, wholly devoted to consuming mindless entertainment, separate from one another and unwilling to convene with each other. At first, I wanted my people to be unmistakable blobs but found that by making them skeletal wisps they appear to be drained of life, dying at the hands of meaningless addictions.

           I hope that my piece sparks at least a small amount of dialogue regarding society’s obsession with technology and social media, and how we prefer to engage with others through a screen rather than in person. I also see this house as a personification of the mind; we often appear “normal” and content to others in public, but harbor secrets, addictions, and feelings of seclusion that we feign to reveal to others about. My motive and reasoning behind the piece has remained constant throughout its entire construction. It was very tedious constructing the house, and its design went through a few changes before I began building. I also wanted to include some literary references in my house. I was obviously drawn to including references regarding the influence of technology and how detrimental it can be to society, as well as the feeling that we are being judged by our lack of motivation to progress emotionally and relationally in society.

           This house is not only how I view society, but how I view myself. In a sense, my art piece represents how we all belong to and are governed by technology and societal limitations. There is a universal culture, it seems, that applauds innovation. However, it seems that as society advances the individual suffers. I do have hope, though, that we can move towards a future that completely rejects the ideals of complacency and hypocrisy.