Tale Of Two Citiez Analysis

The title of my painting is A Tale of Two Cities: All that Glitters is not Gold. The mediums of art utilized are canvas and oil based paint with a song played in the background called A Tale of Two Citiez by J. Cole. The theological claim the art expresses is the tension of reality for residents in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is often claimed as the most livable city in the United States. However, this piece evokes viewers to ponder the true nature of Pittsburgh’s livability and for which populations does the notion of “most livable” correlate. The picture features a silhouette of the Pittsburgh skyline and a chart showing the number of homicides in Pittsburgh proper over the last ten years. Under the chart showing the homicides in Pittsburgh are
I want to use embodiment in its most literal sense, which is to give a concrete form to. Because of data’s abstract nature we often forget that it represents the real and tangible. I do not want this chart to be seen as an abstraction of people. But, rather I was this chart to show the real life taken from real people in real Pittsburgh. I want people to see the reality of homicide in Pittsburgh. I want people to see the 1,116 individual lives lost. I want people to see the 1,116 families impacted by senseless violence. So much can be lost in data that should not be lost. This brings to the surface the concepts muteness and (in)visibility. Muteness and (in)visibility are the notions of being unheard or unseen though being clearly present. Ralph Ellison says “Monolithic view amplifies the stereotypes that make muteness and invisibility possible, and it leads potential caregivers to speed by persons in crisis with indifference, fear, or scorn.” This causes me to again ask a few questions in terms of embodiment. In celebrating its accolades, what and who is Pittsburgh not allowing to become concrete, real, embodied? What is Pittsburgh really hiding and why? I believe Pittsburgh is hiding its inherent, systemic racism and not allowing the reality of those who suffer most from the oppression, obliteration, and objectification of minorities in this city to become embodied. In NOT allowing this reality to be heard or seen, it allows Pittsburgh to be seen as a great city. One that prides itself on being a city of champions and a comeback city. If Pittsburgh is not a champion for the life of ALL people in its city and ALL of its residents have not experienced comeback, it can pride itself on its greatness all it wants. But, the reality will continue to remain that Pittsburgh is priding itself on impersonation and not validation. This