In the Balance
A site-specific installation at Paper City Studios, Holyoke, MA. 2009. Salvaged material, audio, potatoes.
This work links the past history of its site -- a building constructed in 1896 for use as a grocer's warehouse -- with a contemporary regional example of food packaging, storage and distribution (a multi-building potato packaging plant and warehouse). Materials used were salvaged from the potato packaging plant. The work addresses the impact of material and technological innovation on labor and labor costs, particularly potent factors in an industry fueled in large part by the labor of migrant workers. Accompanying audio plays sound recorded in the packaging plant.
Click thumbnail for larger view