This installation piece of a mirror that erases one’s reflection is a visual representation of the whitewashing of Greek, Roman and European history. People of color are often misrepresented, whitewashed or removed from history, creating a concept of what is ‘ideal’. Since Greek, Roman and European history is the most prevalent and has the most influence on America’s culture, the subtle racism in misrepresenting history immensely erases truth and beauty that affects our society today. This influence has even been spread into our museums, textbooks and even movies that we create and consume today.
The aim of this installation was to raise awareness, and to instill what it means to be whitewashed from history. Mirrors are used daily for a sole purpose to show one’s reflection. It is also symbolic as a glimpse into the truth. In using a fog to erase one’s reflection from the mirror, it creates an illusion of how the influence of whitewashing slowly seeps into our society.
