Jackson Hussey

Artist Statement

Waste is built into the structure of our societal cycle of consumption and is deeply ingrained in our culture. Technology, having one of the shortest cycles of relevance, often acts aesthetically as a time capsule of the previous era of development. I see myself in screens, I see you on screens and I see the world through screens. They seek to define my reality and replace themselves through self sacrifice. Technology is produced to inevitably be buried in earth. Nature has to begrudgingly accept the products of the previous cycle. But these screens still flicker on, and disposable batteries still hold a charge, so I question why they are deemed as trash.

The idea of ‘trash’ is an amorphous concept which can quickly be applied to objects with substantial value. Have you ever been tempted by half a plate of fries left behind at the table next to you? The social context of the previous hovering hands makes them seem inedible, yet if they were taken to the kitchen and served on a shiny new plate they would look delicious. The scrap, trash and junk of humanity are my leftover fries, and I work to highlight their existence while serving them on a shiny new plate.