Victoria Johnson - 2023
The Lives we Bought
Artist's Statement
While many North Americans are accustomed to living their lives in or around suburban expansion, I am fascinated by the efficiency and pace of the ever-present construction around me. Growing up in Brazil, I have always been interested in the aesthetics of suburbia presented to me through Hollywood.
This project allowed me to explore the repetitive nature of suburban construction and the desensitization that comes with it, peeling back layers of the American dream to reveal concerns about privacy, resource use, and architectural homogeneity.
The work showcases the state of Utah as a real estate paradise while simultaneously portraying the average lives of Utahns surrounded by construction.
The project also addresses the pressing issue of the climate crisis. It recognizes suburban expansion as a significant contributor to local carbon emissions, requiring vast amounts of resources such as land, water, and energy, which can have detrimental effects on the environment, including the depletion of water supplies and the destruction of wildlife habitats.
"The Lives we Bought"
