Uneven geography

Globalization has proliferated every aspect of our lives. Art is a human tradition that spans geographical, cultural, and generational boundaries. Though art is common throughout the world, until recently artists rarely collaborated across different cultures. As globalization proliferates, more and more art works have been created as a combination of elements from various cultures and religions. The Uneven Geographies display at the Nottingham is one example of this recent trend. The exhibit brings together work from five continents, and is truly a cross-cultural display. For instance, Steve McQueen's film, Gravesend, juxtaposes the deleterious affects of mining for coltan in the Democratic Republic with the scientific processing of this mineral. The mineral is used widely in computer devices in England. The work reflects the ironic dependence of England's wealth on a mineral which has caused environmental degradation and political instability within the Democratic Republic. McQueen's work reveals how trends such as capitalism have affected various countries in strikingly different ways. I believe that great art has the ability to create a statement, or reveal a truth in an aesthetically appealing form. McQueen's film shows that the free market, and social equality are ideas that have not spread throughout the entire world. While some countries such as America are able to celebrate various freedoms, other countries suffer to fuel the economies of these "free-market" societies. It's alarming to think that the resources we depend on daily are available to us because of the blood and sweat of those in less stable countries. McQueen's work has given me a greater appreciation for the many freedoms I have been given.













-Tina