Richard Deanda
Windows and Mirrors in 2020
What was your experience?
The Covid-19 pandemic swung a spotlight onto the relationship between individuals, societal groups and governments. Each window frame is about a different narrative that I observed throughout the year of 2020. Each window frame interacts with the other frames, as none of the themes addressed exist in isolation to each other.
The first frame, Mask Mirror, is about the societal response to mask wearing, and the creative communities role in the creation of masks and PPE. In the opening weeks of the pandemic there was an underlying current of fear and uncertainty that has now dissipated. Throughout that bleak time I saw a glimmer of unity and hope through those acts of creation in the name of community care. In the months that followed Not wearing a mask became a symbol of having political beliefs that fell on the right. I displayed this polarization by displaying a variety of people wearing masks, not all them correctly.
Our society is split, grouped and divided, evidenced by everything from brand allegiance to state congressional district maps. Gerrymandering allows representatives to choose their electorate, as if voting in reverse. Colorado is attempting to remedy this problem by giving more power to independent voters. Map Mirror is about this shift in power to non affiliated organizations, shown through colors moving away from red and blue layered over a congressional district map of Colorado.
Money Mirror centers the viewer around money, and invokes questions about our relationship to money and power. Political lobbyist are able to influence governance, their goals are often in conflict with the goals of the people. The incredible wealth gap between the rich and poor grew even larger as the demand for online services exploded and hundreds of millions faced financial uncertainty.
Broken Mirror, is in memoriam to all of the brokenness that occurred throughout the pandemic. At a macro perspective, everyone was affected differently, but we all experienced a loss of some kind. My hope is that the audience will view each other with more awareness of the unseen pain that we all carry.
Windows and Mirrors in 2020, Mixed Media, 26’’x 29’’, 2020
Money Mirror and Map Mirror, Mixed Media, 26’’x 29’’, 2020
Mask Mirror, Mixed Media, 26’’x 29’’, 2020
Broken Mirror and Money Mirror, Mixed Media, 26’’x29’’, 2020