100   useful   objects  for   2020

Object No. 1, Sharpie Pen
2020
Graphite on Vellum
1/2" x 5" x 1/2"

Object No. 1, Sharpie Pen template
2020
Graphite on Vellum
11" x 11"

History tells stories. By looking back we learn something about our history that can inform our present and our future. This doesn’t seem to have happened much during the 1918 Pandemic when we all frantically searched for any relevant information we could use to prepare us for the 2020 Pandemic. My art practice involves documenting current economic and societal data for future generations. During the lockdown, with plenty of time to ponder what we should remember about 2020, I began to list objects that became critically important to society. I made paper models and graphite templates of these objects, from seed packets to N95 masks. The body of work was inspired by the MoMA design series ‘100 Useful Objects’ which began during the Great Depression (Useful Objects under $5.00) and continued through World War II (Useful Objects in Wartime). With our newfound wisdom, what could future generations learn from us to better prepare for a future pandemic?

Object No. 2, Seed Packet
2020
Graphite on Vellum
3 1/4" x 6" x 1/4"

Object No. 2, Seed Packet
2020
Graphite on Vellum
3 1/4" x 6" x 1/4"

Object No. 3, N95 Mask
2020
Graphite on Vellum
5 1/2" x 6" x 2 1/4"

Object No. 3, N95 Mask
2020
Graphite on Vellum
27" x 18"