We decided to use trash as a social symbol. Corinne's interview brought up several social issues related to the concept, and Autumn's brought up the idea of public interaction and getting "up close and personal" with our subjects. Because we were dealing with a relatively sensitive topic, however, we interacted with our subjects anonymously via an online survey. We chose the question "Have you ever felt like trash?" and left it up to the subject's interpretation. We posted the responses we received onto these photographed silhouettes of people holding trash in front of their face. These were then placed in trash cans under the near the humanities building, where they blended in with the overcast and shadowed dismal atmosphere.
Each of these pieces stood out of the trash can a good two to three feet. Also, they were all in close proximity to each other, enough that someone walking through would see at least two. The vague silhouette with text draws people in, then within the text is the repetition of the phrase "felt like trash." Almost all the responses say "I felt like trash when..." or "...made me feel like trash," etc, paired with the literal representation of a person in the trash can.
Between the size, contrast, multiplicity, and text, these are eye-catching. Just while we were there we saw several people glance at them and then walk up to read what it has to say.
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