ART & TECHNOLOGY AS SEEN FROM A BARRED WINDOW

Rafael Larranaga

“ART, DESIGN, AND TECHNOLOGY AS SEEN FROM A BARRED WINDOW” (ADT) is a physical representation of the feeling of being deterred from pursuing art and design. Many aspiring creatives face discouragement from cultural and societal standards, lack of opportunity and accessibility, and other circumstances. This is my perspective on the world of art and design, formed by my environment and the disincentives it presented to me. I found the representation for this feeling in the places and culture I was raised in. Bars adorned the windows of the South L.A. homes I grew up in, transforming the openings into barricades while retaining visibility on the inside and out. Similarly, the white table highlights the black tools while simultaneously restricting your access to them.

(This is) a physical representation of the cultural inaccessibility of art and technology. The feeling of knowing what you are passionate about but being lacking the resources or encouragement to pursue it.

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Rafael Larranaga

Coming from my background and the environment I was raised in, it is an uphill battle to gain opportunities and resources. Having grown up in a Mexican-American household in Los Angeles, I was taught to be resilient and pursue what I believe in. So, I pursued my interests in my room in the neighborhoods of Hawthorne, Inglewood, and Hyde Park, with the help of the internet. I stared out of the barred windows of my home and daydreamed of having the opportunity for you to read this placard. You can do it too.