Recycled dyed muslin, cotton yarn, found plastic materials
Undergraduate
“Midden” is an interdisciplinary work that explores the intersections of art and waste from an archaeological perspective. It is inspired by its namesake archaeological features, middens, which are collections of domestic refuse from humans of the past. Midden questions our values of waste by asking why such an informative and universal aspect of the human experience is valued the way it is without considering what it can teach or do for us. Archaeological themes of chronology and stratigraphy are explored by the coiling structure of the piece and inclusions, inconsistencies within deposited layers, reflect the challenges of real archaeological excavation. The medium of basketry reflects common artifacts found in middens. Within the vessel are plastic bags, both giving structure to the piece and new use and value to modern waste.