Entropy was a collaborative installation by Heather Hutton and Elizabeth Porcel. The work was inspired by one of Hutton’s childhood friends who is a single parent of two little girls struggling to live within the welfare system. Over the years of observing her life as a single mom, the recognition of an overwhelming amount of chaos became more apparent and humbling as an outsider looking in. Porcel, pregnant with her second child at the time, describes her experience of the struggle to maintain order within the domestic space as one that is exponentially advancing to disorder. Hence, the title Entropy emerged. The discovery of the single parents ability to multi task and maintain composure is a super power that deserves great honor and sincere recognition. After all, parenting is the most difficult job with the greatest responsibility. Hutton says, “I am continually amazed at how my friend can shift energy from one melt down to the next and maintain love in her heart and a skip in her walk. I wish I could deflect other peoples energy with such grace.” Sounds were recorded in a single mother’s home were played within the installation.
Hutton and Porcel capture the essence of single motherhood by creating an installation out of donated household items ranging from make-up to laundry baskets. Porcel painted directly on the walls with a mixture of sidewalk chalk, makeup, drink mix and pigment while Hutton constructed a tornado of laundry baskets. Working together they created an environment of large than life chores.
Clothing and toys were specially donated to this project by community members in the metro Atlanta area to honor single parents. The items were donated to single parents upon the show’s completion.
Honorable thanks to Raven Lee for donating children’s clothing and Jeff Porcel for re-mastering the sound.