YouTube Sculpting

Artist's Statement:

White Trash. I've recalled seeing many videos circulating YouTube, usually under the title of "White Trash Fail." These videos show rural white America as violent, uneducated, overweight, reckless, moronic, I mean, you've seen them. I wanted to see if that was really all that was out there, though I must admit, by using this term which has a negative connotation, it makes sense that this is the sort of representation I would get. If I were to type in "ghetto" in a YouTube search, I doubt I would get very flattering representations of the black and Latino communities. But despite finding many of the typical "White Trash" videos, I found a lot of people proud of and trying to defend their white trashiness. That's why I chose to begin with The Apprentice clip, it shows a man trying to claim the label of white trash, but being told by dear old DJT that it is not something to be proud of. This sculpture ranges from people proud of their culture (though sticking to the label of redneck over white trash, something I found to be particularly interesting), people appropriating white trash culture (makeup tutorials, white trash parties), and ending with an alternative view of a community that is ridden with poverty, but hopes and desires to rise out of it. The homemade 4 wheel drive up BBQ banner was the most poignant part of this video. It represents both sides of "white trash:" a duct tape DIY spirit born out of poverty and resourcefulness and a desire to do the best one can in one's circumstance and come together as a community.