What does poverty look like on a plate? | Huiyi Lin
Jan 3, 2025
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Huiyi Lin, a TED Fellow and economic policy researcher, co-created 'The Poverty Line,' an art project that examines poverty through food choices. She shares stunning insights from a photo project that highlights the daily food items of those living at the poverty line in 38 countries. Lin discusses how art can effectively raise awareness about social issues, inspiring empathy and action. She also touches on the psychological effects of poverty and the decision-making processes highlighted in 'Poor Economics,' showing how food connects us to deeper societal truths.
Huiyi Lin's project visually illustrates the stark contrasts of poverty by photographing food choices at the national poverty line in various countries.
The emotional impact of these photographs fosters empathy and encourages deeper discussions about the societal complexities surrounding poverty and economic disparity.
Deep dives
The Poverty Line Project
The Poverty Line project, created by artist Huiyi Lin and her partner Stefan Chow, provides a visual representation of poverty by showcasing food items that correspond to the national poverty line in various countries. By purchasing food with the specified amount per person per day, they highlight what individuals living in poverty can afford, leading to poignant conversations about food choices and social class. Photographs are taken against the backdrop of local newspapers, capturing both the context of the food and the time period in which it was collected. This project has resonated globally, leading to diverse reactions and insights into cultural perspectives on poverty, illustrating how food serves as a common touchstone for understanding economic disparity.
Engaging Policy Conversations
The project has not only served as an artistic endeavor but has also sparked important policy discussions around poverty and economic inequality. Huiyi Lin emphasizes that while data and policy reports provide macro-level insights, the photographs reveal the human and emotional aspects of poverty that statistics often overlook. The approach taken by Lin and Chow has encouraged people to see poverty not just through the lens of others' struggles but as a shared societal issue that connects us all. By fostering empathy and curiosity, their work bridges the gap between individual experiences and broader systemic issues, motivating audiences to reflect on their roles within these systems.
The Power of Art in Addressing Inequality
Huiyi Lin asserts the value of art in discussing complex issues like poverty, as it can evoke emotions and prompt deeper understanding among diverse audiences. Through their minimalist photographic style, the duo aims to create empathy by highlighting the simplicity and commonalities of food across different cultures. Their work challenges viewers to consider the nuances of poverty, revealing that it is often hidden from sight, especially in more affluent societies. By engaging in ongoing conversations and collaborations with institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, Lin and Chow hope to reach wider audiences, emphasizing that addressing poverty requires recognizing our interconnectedness and shared responsibilities.
TED Fellow and economic policy researcher Huiyi Lin is cocreator of "The Poverty Line," an art project examining poverty through the lens of food. By photographing the daily food choices of people living at the poverty line in 38 countries and territories around the world, Lin shines a light on the problem of poverty in a way no policy report ever could.