Moving from the diverse culinary scene of Brooklyn to Iowa City as a vegan presented its own set of adjustments. While the appeal of larger living spaces and more affordable coffee was undeniable, the reality of local water quality – influenced by industrial pork processing runoff – was an unexpected challenge. In response to this significant change, my partner and I, like many couples navigating a new environment, sought solace and community in local thrift stores.
As a researcher with a particular interest in animal-related trinkets, it wasn’t long before a specific item caught my eye: the pre-owned piggy bank. These weren’t just charming relics of childhood; in Iowa, they took on a different resonance. In a state that leads the nation in pork production, each piggy bank felt like a constant, tangible reminder of my new location.
However, my collection of Piggy Banks stems not from any sense of cuteness or nostalgia. Instead, it’s born from a critical perspective on what these objects represent. Iowa’s staggering hog slaughter numbers – upwards of 33 million annually – make the link between pigs and profit undeniably clear. But to me, the piggy bank feels like a misrepresentation, even an exploitation, of the animal it depicts.
Throughout history, animals have been used to symbolize various aspects of the financial world, from the aggressive bull and bear markets to the cunning wolf. The transformation of pigs into piggy banks seems less about any inherent quality of the animal and more about a deep-seated American obsession with financial gain and efficiency. Is the piggy bank simply a harmless tool for teaching children about saving, or does it subtly reinforce a culture that commodifies living beings for economic purposes?
As you consider this collection, I invite you to join me in contemplating the loaded symbolism of owning a piggy bank, especially here in a state like Iowa. What does it truly mean to accumulate wealth in a container shaped like an animal so intrinsically linked to industrial agriculture and profit?
