Strangely Familiar: Finding Place in Nonplace

Mia Johnson

Date of Award

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Freedland, Barry

Keywords

Suburbia, Mass Production, Nonplace, Structures, Art, Sculpture, Burden, Chris, Cruz, Teddy, Zittel, Andrea

Area of Concentration

Art

Abstract

There is no denying the United States of America is a suburban nation. At this point in time, over half of the American population resides in areas defined as "suburban" by the census. As the suburbs continue to grow, so does their influence on society, culture, and our personal lives. However, despite its ubiquity, suburbia remains an under-examined force, and is generally portrayed in one of two ways; as a utopic middle class environment, or alternatively, an isolating and dangerous nonplace, characterized by it's homogeneity and conformity. The truth obviously lies somewhere between the two. Through my work I hope to transcend this utopia/distopia binary, by creating structures, sculptures and drawings that are simultaneously critical, empathetic, and celebratory of the suburban environment. All of my work is made from everyday suburban materials, which I have used to create a defamiliarized suburban neighborhood. In my research I have considered and been inspired by various artists who similarly examine the suburban environment and its contents. Among them are Tara Donovan, Tim Hawkinson, Larry Sultan, Teddy Cruz, Chris Burden , Andrea Zittel, and Robert Smithson. In addition I have used the writings of urban theorists Robert Fishman, and Philip Kasinitis to better understand and represent the complexities of suburban place.

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