EXHIBITS

‘FACTORY MADE / ETHICALLY SOURCED’ aims to delve into the intricate relationship between labor and its material product. Through juxtaposition of human flesh and the inanimate objects emerging from colossal production industries, we invite viewers to contemplate the underlying narratives that bind these two seemingly disparate elements.

We have constructed sprawling factories that churn out an ever-expanding array of material goods. These factories stand as towering symbols of human ingenuity and capability, yet they also hold within them the echoes of toil and the human labor that breathes life into the products we consume. ‘FACTORY MADE’ embodies this dichotomy, with its visual exploration of the sheer scale and mechanical precision behind the manufacturing processes, brought forth alongside the human element that invests blood, sweat, and passion into the very objects we hold dear.

Simultaneously, the phrase ‘ETHICALLY SOURCED’ challenges us to consider the implications of unethical labor practices and their impact on both human and ecological realms. Through this, the art implores us to question the hidden costs behind the allure of mass production, urging us to confront the paradoxical nature of our modern lifestyles.

As viewers are confronted with these stark visual contrasts, the artists seek to evoke a sense of contemplation, pushing them to look beyond the surface of consumer culture and discover the inherent indignity and struggles woven into every item we possess. The pairing of human flesh and manufactured objects serves as a symbolic call for greater empathy, encouraging us to recognize the interconnectedness of all lives within the vast fabric of global production networks.

‘FACTORY MADE / ETHICALLY HARVESTED’ embraces the power of art to provoke thought and ignite conversations that transcend the canvas. By bringing the intricacies of labor intensity and materiality to the forefront of our collective consciousness, the artists aspire for a more conscious and compassionate approach to consumption, production, and the way we value the labor that sustains our world.

This exhibition is a site-specific multi-media installation created by a collection of anonymous artists. 

Mark Porter was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, but is based in Brooklyn, where he has established a studio that merges sculpture, installation, and innovative construction techniques across mediums. Trained in classical sculpture, Mark worked as Boaz Vaadia’s assistant, finding a great affinity in the artist’s use of space and the natural environment in his sculptures.

While Mark does not deliberately court controversy, his combination of the beautiful and the disturbing rendered with a precise technique and modern mindset can lead the casual observer to mistake him for a provocateur. The greater narrative in this work, however, relates to an understanding of the truth that is revealed in the interaction between materials, form, and gesture. In this revelation, strength may be cast in disposable plastics while fragile subtle elements are embodied in steel.