Supermax Food Tray, Tough, insulated, will not retain water, long-lasting to save replacement costs (lids sold separately), $214, Cortech
Bronze
14” L, 9” W, 1.5” D
2022
A 20lb solid bronze tray, originally cast from a food tray acquired from The Bob Barker Company, the largest supplier of corrections and detention supplies to federal, state, and local government agencies. During my time as an artist in residence at Michigan State University, I purchased this individual tray as an institutional vendor for $214.00. This tray is specifically designed for supermax facilities and intended for prisoners in solitary confinement or on death row, who are isolated from the general population of prisoners. This piece references the ongoing carceral economies that have grown to become the prison industry. It represents the financial and ideological investments made by the US Federal and state governments, as well as private corporations, in the Prison Industrial Complex.
[The state's first prison, the Michigan State Penitentiary was established in Jackson in 1838, and it marked the beginning of organized "correctional" facilities in Michigan. In 1907, Jackson prison installed a facility to manufacture binder twine, which immediately began to generate profits. Michigan, along with several other midwestern states opted to produce and sell goods competitively on the open market. The state also leased and then purchased agricultural land next to the prison and in 1912 opened a commercial cannery at the facility, selling vegetables under the brand name “Home Grown.” Michigan, along with several other midwestern states opted to produce and sell goods competitively on the open market.]
(Dan Nemser, Alejo Stark, and Duncan Tarr, "From the Factory to the Warehouse", Field Notes, Brooklyn Rail 2020)
pictured:
1. hammer without a nail exhibition, Michigan State University’s Scene Gallery, 2022
2.Broken on a Wheel exhibition, Entre Gallery, Vienna Austria, 2022
