THADDEUS DIXON PRESERVATION PROJECT

Sadler, Kirsten E. THADDEUS DIXON PRESERVATION PROJECT. 2019. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.

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Abstract

The Thaddeus Dixon Preservation Project explores the ideas of roleplaying, curating, fabricating, and display. The persona created to embody this project was Thaddeus D. Dixon. The creation of this individual gave context and validity to the art created for the exhibition. As curator, I examine objects from Thaddeus D. Dixon’s personal collection and the exhibition offers a select glimpse into his findings. Each object was fabricated to mimic a physical object that adds context to the concept of the project. The objects are displayed in an untraditional manner. They are displayed in a more domestic fashion as one would find in a home, not a gallery. This concept strengthens the idea that Dixon and his possessions are authentic. As a composed display, the Thaddeus Dixon Preservation Project tells a story of Appalachia. The context of the objects suggests a larger story creating a critical commentary on the influence of the coal industry on the Appalachian region. Viewers can also observe the collection through the eyes of Thaddeus Dixon, giving them a period perspective. However, if viewers adopt a more contemporary perspective, they understand how the items in the collection connect to more current and critical, albeit subtle, views of the coal industry. The region and its art contain a rich history of local culture and tradition with a contemporary tilt toward social commentary and pursuit of social justice. All of this speaks to the varied cultures, hardships, stories, and traditions of Appalachia. Although celebrated for its natural beauty and defined by its regional boundaries, Appalachia is best described through the narratives of its inhabitants and the stories of its communities. The Thaddeus Dixon Preservation Project contributes to that narrative.

Item Type:	Thesis
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR N Fine Arts > NB Sculpture N Fine Arts > NC Drawing Design Illustration N Fine Arts > ND Painting N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general
Divisions:	Radford University > College of Visual and Performing Arts > Department of Art
Date Deposited:	02 Mar 2020 20:16
Last Modified:	20 Apr 2023 19:31
URI:	http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/532

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