Trauma Plate

Trauma Plate is very clearly shaped by 21st century culture. The idea of the problem of national security no longer being a threat from somewhere overseas, but right here in our own backyard comes from the 9/11 attacks of course but i also in the rise of terrorist acts, even by American born citizens. The D.C sniper shootings, the Fort hood shootings, even the recent arrest of "Jihad Jane" all play apart. American Gun culture is also prevalent. I saw this in my own father after the Trolley Square incident, when he proudly showed me his new handgun and concealed weapons permit and explained to me his belief in the rising need to protect ourselves.

Johnson also draws from a scene in many communities, especially rural communities like ours, of small chains giving way to large big box stores, how that changes the face of the landscape and the community, and the sense of loss and abandonment that creates. In my own home town of Kaysville, One can get that same sense of Post Apocalyptic sadness when seeing the empty windows of shops in the older parts of town. And with familiar names like Kmart and Godfathers pizza, he brings the setting right next door.