Within the past two decades we’ve seen a huge shift in the balance of economic power. Countries that didn’t have a middle class 20 years ago have seen a rapid transformation from an agricultural economy to an industrial based economy so much so that a sizable percentage of the population now belongs to the middle class. How does that affect the social groups who have been able to benefit the most from the economic boom? How does that influence one’s identity when the change is so rapid?
I’ve chosen to put my focus on the model homes built in recently constructed suburbs for the newly minted upper middle class. These full-scale replicas act as giant shopping windows decorated with a ready to buy lifestyle for the homebuyer.
When the projects is finished I will have depicted model homes in 7 suburbs spread across the rising economies of the world. By omitting geographical and national traces I want to create a strong visual narrative between the suburbs. The similarities interest me more then the national and cultural differences. My intentions are to create a visual narrative that takes the viewer in front of the scenes of a new global movement.
Project made possible by funds from:
Langmanska kulturfonden -09
The Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Konstnarsnamden) -08
The Association of Swedish Professional Photographers (SFF) -08
Exhibitions: Group show Noorderlicht photofestival, Groningen, The Netherlands, 2011
Publications: D. La Repubblica, Italy
Nominated to the Santa Fe Prize 2012
A project by Martin Adolfsson
www.martinadolfsson.com
