Hidden Value

Description: Five Northampton, MA residents--a waitress (shown here), a grocer, a public librarian, a college professor, and a trash collector--are assessed on their subtle but meaningful contributions to their city and the individuals they impact through their work. Data and narrative text collected from participant interviews, surveys, and research were placed on objects emblematic of their work. I put the waitress’s story on diner barstool seats, placed in a row along a path. Using vinyl lettering, I put the trash collector’s text on trashcan lids, grouping the trashcans on the lawn. A row of engraved desktops under the trees told the college professor’s story. The grocer’s text was printed onto vinyl and wound around the rollers of a grocery roller conveyor. A bookcase with faux books told the librarian’s story on gold-stamped spines.