Reflection+Everything+that+glitters


 * Everything that Glitters...
 * This wall contains materials that all relate to the period known as the "Roaring Twenties." The "Roaring Twenties" was backed by considerable economic gains and a need to experience new and extraordinary things. The development of the theater, the Jazz Age, and the Flapper all signify the people's want for entertainment and a social life. The young women during this period, Flappers, were known for their clothing, attitudes towards sexuality, and altered perspective on life. Flappers moved away from the classic, conservative clothing and began to dress in bright colors, shorter dress lines, and lavish jewelery. They were seen much more in social scenes and flaunting themselves in front of men. Along with an increase in social events came and increased desire to drink, despite the Prohibition that was in effect. Speakeasies and bootleggers grew in numbers along with the increased desire for alcohol. The Harlem Renaissance, although not directly related to Flappers and the social scene, is known for some of the most magnificent and inspiring works of art and literature. On this wall, I incorporation posters from the "Roaring Twenties" and quotes from various authors to illustrate the allure of this time period. The fashion elements, freedom, and the appeal to drink and the dismissive attitudes towards the prohibition are all displayed on this wall. The title Everything that Glitters... was intended to further depict this glamorous time
 * is Gilded
 * Unlike the first wall, this second wall is intended to depict the struggles that many endured despite the glamorous elements of this time period. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl began towards the end of the 20s and are noted for their horrific ramifications. Much of the economic success that many people saw early that decade was completely wiped out and families in the West watched their homes and crops gradually grow to nothing. The art that I placed on this wall was meant to magnify the dust storms control over the families and their destinies. The pieces by J. Steuart Curry contain large dust clouds and the substantially smaller family struggling to escape the possibility of death. Boomtown is a portrait that uses dark colors to emphasize the depressing conditions in industrial cities. The quotes that I placed on this wall go along with the mood of the artwork. The struggles of the poor man and escaping poverty are explained in the excerpts. This wall also contains a brief cliff taken during a dust storm, which helps materialize the severity of this event. The title that I placed on this wall is meant to represent the "Roaring Twenties" as a gold lining that covers the more depressing aspects of this decade. The "Roaring Twenties" from the outside looks thrilling and invigorating, but there are underlying issues that give a new perspective on this decade.
 * The World We Call Home
 * This wall focuses on the current state of our country and how is has changed from the 20s. America is not that different today than it was during the "Roaring Twenties" and The Great Depression. Many Americans live in the lap of luxury and don't have a care in the world. The are exposed from a young age to a good education, proper health care, daily necessities, and anything else they could possibly need or want. It is very easy to become caught up in this life style, just as the Flappers and factory owners had in the previous decades. Our country today also sees this other side of life. Many families struggle to make rent and live in inadequate housing unites such as Cabrini Green. Children suffer from a lack of health care, insufficient education, and various other issues. The socioeconomic disparity in our country continues to escalate to unfathomable levels. American is still living with this gilded persona, which is prohibiting any progress towards a unified nation. The wall contains various satirical cartoons illustrating our socioeconomic disparity and the harsh conditions many Americans live in today. The lamp post containing two signs, wealth and poverty, is a good example of the America way. A person either becomes extremely successful or they live from check to check.


 * The World to Come
 * This fourth wall focuses on what American will become if we continue at this rate. A poem by Walt Whitman is a good description of the American way; we sit, observe, take note, and do nothing about it. We, as Americans, must focus on making changes for the betterment of our democracy, not only ourselves. There have been mistakes made in the past, but we must now work to fix them in the future. the focus on money and independent gains is an important factor to the lack of progress our country has seen in the recent years. The longer America functions and lives by our current mores, the more severe our problems will become. It is difficult to escape our own lives because this is what we have been trained to do since birth, but this is a necessity to begin this long, tedious process. As many of de Tocqueville's quotes state, we must work for today and success in the future will follow.