E.T. Project (2009-2010) - Joe Yorty

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With the insertion of artist edition kitsch into the second-hand store industry I attempt an analysis of commodity flow and second-hand 
bric-a-brac capitalism and simultaneously generate critique of art object value (the thrift store is momentarily converted into venue for the avant-garde and the 
second-hand shopper inadvertently becomes collector of fine art).

120 ceramic E.T. figures were slipcast over a 10-month period from a single plaster mold purchased from a second-hand store in 2009. Once glazed and serialized The E.T.s were then circulated through donation to area thrift stores where they were priced, shelved and sold to the public.

-- FROM THE ARTIST'S STATEMENT