UC Santa Cruz

The history of the United States is full of contradictions and paradoxes that are confusing to those who have marginalized identities or fall outside of the dominant culture in any way shape or form. The aim of this artwork is to open a dialogue and begin the process of bringing a new American consciousness to the forefront of audience members. Walled In as an artwork is a clear fanatic of the American canon. This piece draws inspiration from a wide range of American thinkers and storytellers starting with Henry David Thoreau and ending with Jim Morrison. The main argument that the piece pursues is the effect that media has on people’s psyches/identities when constructing a national consciousness. That is why it is critical to be in control of generating new narratives while holding old narratives accountable. As American citizens we should be looking back while driving forward. The piece argues that one of the avenues to ensure that creation is through a dialectical synthesis of both old and new forms of media. Walled In does not offer any clear solutions, but uses this space as a chaotic workshop to meditate and digest these existential ideas.