Prograde & Retrograde - Rollins Museum of Art - 2022
Prograde & Retrograde
was the final show for the art majors of the class of 2022, marking the completion of their capstone projects.
→ VIEW MY ARTIST STATEMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
"A Better Tomorrow," Archival Pigment Print, 18 x 12 in., 2022.
"A Thing of the Past," Archival Pigment Print, 18 x 12 in., 2022.
"Convert," Archival Pigment Print, 18 x 12 in., 2022.
"Don't Dry Out," Archival Pigment Print, 18 x 12 in., 2022.
"Consumerism Kills," Archival Pigment Print, 18 x 12 in., 2022.
"You," Archival Pigment Print, 24 x 36 in., 2022.
Intergalactic Environmental Federation enamel pin
"The More You Know" Bifold Pamphlet (Front and Back), Laser Print, 8.5 x 11 in., 2022.
"The More You Know" Bifold Pamphlet (Inside), Laser Print, 8.5 x 11 in., 2022.
Installation
Below is my installation I created for this exhibition. Titled MJX Office, this installation brings you into the world of the Intergalactic Environmental Federation as you’re dropped into the office space of Mila J. Xokop, a new advertisement design team member dealing with creating informational posters as well as PSAs. Located in the Centaurus A Galaxy, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs is a subdivision of the IEF dealing with the protection of environmental resources, enhancement of clean energy, and ensuring a pollution-free future across this particular galaxy. The office space offers insight into what goes into the process of creating posters and ads that support the IEF’s purpose within the galaxy.
ARTIST TALK
April 19, 2022
I had the opportunity to give an artist talk where I discussed the themes of my installation, the creative process behind it, and the world-building elements that bring it to life. A key focus of my talk was the use of solastalgia through objects and propaganda like posters. I used familiar items to transport viewers to personal memories, evoke emotions, and create a sense of connection. I explored the materials and techniques I used, the deeper meaning behind the work, and why I created this installation, offering insight into the ways nostalgia shapes our experiences and interpretations.
Artist Statement
The primary content of my work consists of satirical reflections on how the environment affects our lives as consumers. I integrate a retro futurism aesthetic to bring about a sense of solastalgia – which is described by philosopher Glenn A. Albrecht as the emotional pain and discomfort felt when one recognizes that their home environment or a beloved place is under assault or facing physical destruction caused by environmental change. I create images that force the viewer to think about the landscape and the home they will eventually lose due to the inevitable effects of climate change.
The prime focus of my work uses this sense of solastalgia to create a feeling for a need to protect the earth and resources that we have now, or we will continue to face worse issues in the future. Using images sourced from magazines and books, I digitally cut out and layer them to create the most motivating composition that leaves you wondering. As an artist, I have found that world building offers an opportunity to bring art into a new dimension. It allows me to be realistic yet also absurd. Things that don’t seem to make sense in our world can fully exist in another which allows me to extend my artistic process.
I have developed an organization that is operating in a parafictional world. This organization, called the Intergalactic Environmental Federation (IEF), produces posters to encourage its citizens to trade in their consumerist lifestyles for a more sustainable one. The core concept of the IEF’s existence is to protect environments across multiple galaxies and to create a sense of urgency and contemplation within individuals to encourage environmental awareness. The IEF’s mission is to encourage societies to reduce their carbon footprint and help preserve already existing resources.