Reflection

Initially, I was inspired by the image of placing an animal in an unconventional space. A contrast between the natural and the artificial. I like the image of a messy room which invokes a feeling of familiarity but also confinement. I looked to explore the theme by invoking familiar elements like my chaotic room as well as my diet. Through my research I discovered the cramped and unsanitary farming conditions millions of cows are subject to in the United States. The cattle industry is also the greatest contributor of methane within the agricultural industry. By just cutting out cow meat from your diet you can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. Thus, cows are key to the climate crisis. Yet I also found in my research how interconnected cows and the cattle industry are to society. They play a key role in the human diet, the economy, and countless people's livelihoods. So while the image of a cow in a human room may seem strange, it is the implicit truth that we live alongside these creatures. However, it is not a hopeless endeavor, as research shows that vegetarianism and veganism are on the rise, and that various close plant-based substitutes for meat have been made easily available. Thus, the message of my piece is one of hope. Starting from the outermost layer, the cow resides in a black and white room camouflaging in with its spotted pattern, symbolizing their integrated role. Moving one layer in, the room shifts into monochromatic green, resembling the vast luscious pastures and fields cattle are supposed to reside in. Meaning a more natural and peaceful coexistence. Finally, an open window and a hopeful path to the future. There are far more layers of meaning in this single work that I cannot convey through words, and discovering those meanings is just as integral to the creation process.