Brenna Heavin: Stolen Innocence
Artist Statement
The access to the internet has forever changed the trajectory of childhood innocence. Through images, posts, and more, kids of increasingly younger ages are blasted with doomsday taglines and clickbait that serve only to desensitize the fear they feel. This interactive floral artwork conveys the capture of attention from articles and world events.
The vegetative style of the design reveals the carelessness and blissful ignorance children should have. While taking a closer look, you will notice the abandoned kids’ toys, which are the structural framework of the entire design. Dinosaurs and dollhouses are discarded when attention is demanded in other avenues. The intentional use of white flowers including anemones and yellow forsythia symbolizes innocence. The childlike feeling is missing the further you venture into the matrix of the internet and ads. The roots and curly willow woven together illustrate the twisted feeling that plagues young minds and hearts after constant negative stimulation. The final consideration given was the lack of structural integrity the further up the design that you go. The base of children’s toys is a solid foundation that can support the weight of the flowers; however, the internet matrix is being broken down simply from the dynamic roots overtaking it.
The decision to highlight this topic was made after seeing the affects internet usage has had on my generation. Many of my peers, including myself, have learned all to well what it means to have your attention stolen and focused on the worst the world has to offer
About the Project
- Title of Work: Stolen Innocence
- Medium: Large floral installation at 4' wide and 6' tall utilizing tied together base and branch top.
- Student's Name: Brenna Heavin
- Major: Plant Sciences (Horticultural Science and Design)
- Anticipated Graduation Date: May 2023
- Hometown: Rolla, Missouri
- Student's Mentor: Lesleighan Cravens
- Mentor's Department: Plant Sciences
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