A RESPONCE TO A PANDEMIC
2020 - 2021
At the beginning of the pandemic, I did not expect to address it in my artwork because the suffering caused by COVID-19 was not a result of human violence. However, as economic pressures mounted, certain selfish attitudes and behaviors—particularly in the U.S.—began to emerge and intensify. These actions, where financial gain is prioritized over safety, inspired a small body of work centered around three main topics:
-
The first topic explores the idea that a stable economy is prioritized over the well-being of the elderly.
-
The second topic discusses the outright, and in some cases armed, civil disobedience of certain communities against social precautionary guidelines designed to save lives, often citing economic hardship as justification.
-
Finally, the third topic highlights the life-threatening disparities in social and legal status between white individuals and minorities, which are fueled by fears of losing economic dominance.
"We are not only suffering from COVID-19 but we are also suffering from a pandemic of greed, hate, bias, racism, intolerance, and apathy"
- Vallarino
gallery
These images are from installations and artworks already exhibited in previous art shows and exhibitions.
A Sample Study on the True Colors of Diverse Individuals
"New Normal" - Grant Project
For the NEW NORMAL grant art show, "Sundance Stroll" I decided to create facemasks with $100 bills on them meant to be worn over the eyes as a blindfold rather than over the nose and mouth. I did so because I felt that most of our collective decisions regarding the pandemic were mainly based on economics rather than the genuine care for the health of our community. In order to obtain a better picture of this topic, I decided to photograph and interview a diverse group of people wearing the masks. Since they were not looking at the interviewer's physical responses or the camera the models were able to be fairly genuine with their answers. These are our neighbors, and these are their raw interviews.
