All That Glitters
Jordan Porter
Degree: BFA
Area: Metals
Jordan Porter
Thesis Statement
This body of work serves as a reflection of my experience with the transition into adulthood and the subsequent feeling of disillusionment that persists not only in my own mind, but in the minds of many others on the threshold of maturity. These pieces give voice to a dissatisfaction with the often paradoxical and burdensome nature of the expectations faced by young adults in today’s society.
Expectations like working a low-wage part time to support your day-to-day life while also prioritizing a full-time education that will ultimately result in tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of personal debt. Expectations like suddenly being responsible for making life-changing decisions despite growing up in an education system that has always dictated which path to take. Expectations like believing in the concept of a meritocracy as wealth inequality grows and lower-class citizens struggle to make ends meet while billionaires’ bank accounts only become more bloated. Expectations like feeling patriotism for a country where science is mocked, environmental issues are ignored, getting sick can put you into debt, and basic human rights are constantly put into question.
At first glance these pieces seem to be something other than what they are, something more valuable. But upon closer inspection the viewer realizes that they are no more than garbage in disguise. Just as I can paint over a soda can or plate Styrofoam in gold, these ideas of adulthood and the expectations of operating within broken social systems can be camouflaged as a mode of life that is not only acceptable, but something we should be grateful for.