DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/901P-BB15
Defense Date
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Photography and Film
First Advisor
Tesora Molina-Garcia
Second Advisor
Mark Boulos
Third Advisor
Noah Simblist
Abstract
The present thesis project examines how, in the United States, and especially in the state of Virginia, archetypes of "wealth," "value," and "identity" have been constructed in relation to land and territory. This analysis explores the tension between the inherent value of life on the land and the economic value that can be derived from it. This tension is exemplified by a theory known as the "paradox of value", also referred to as the "paradox of water and diamonds", which was developed by the renowned Scottish economist and philosopher, Adam Smith. This theoretical framework serves as a fundamental axis for the investigation.
The exploration of the concept of value, as it pertains to the depiction of fauna, flora, ethnography and geography in historical visual representations, including archival photographs, engravings and numismatic elements such as coins and banknotes, constitutes my artistic research. In this particular instance, the historical emissions of the United States dollar and landscape photographs of Virginia have been utilised as the primary materials for an art installation that incorporates photography and sculpture.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-5-2025
Included in
American Material Culture Commons, Art Education Commons, Art Practice Commons, Book and Paper Commons, Contemporary Art Commons, Economic History Commons, Economic Theory Commons, Fine Arts Commons, Other Arts and Humanities Commons, Photography Commons, Sculpture Commons, United States History Commons