The First and The Third

The terms “first” and “second” world were first used during the cold war to refer to capitalist and communist nations, respectively. The First and Third worlds are now delineated by development of economic productivity. There are now 6.47 billion people in the world. The “developed”, “industrialized” world consists of approximately 57 countries which host a combined population of 0.9 billion. In contrast, it is estimated that 5 billion people live in developing nations. About 125 countries make up the third world. 1 in 5 children from the third world have no access to safe water (400 million), 1 in 7 live without health services (270 million), and 1 in 3 have no adequate shelter (649 million).

It is important to me that my work speaks to concerns larger than myself. All humans have the same basic needs; when I am in the Third world the processes of meeting these needs look, smell, and feel different than when I satisfy the same needs in the First world. Everything takes more time and energy, intention and patience in the Third world. That said, citizens of the industrialized world also suffer from hunger, unsanitary water, inadequate education and poor public transportation.

In this exhibit, I use glass and copper to represent the First and Third worlds. The images I rendered address particular actions I recognize as distinct depending on location. The more sculptural elements of the exhibit are attempts at expressing how the two lives I lead reside together within one body.