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My review of the Consumption exhibition at the
V&A.
The exhibition used
photography to emphasise issues of sustainability, especially those which
concern the environment.
“We have at times
sustained our appetites through the exploitation of the world’s poorest
people”.
With this statement in mind, artists studied the behaviours
concerning consumption – how mankind has now turned towards materialism and
industrialism to satisfy our cravings.
We now live in a society where nobody is ever satisfied with
what they own. We want more.
One artist Hong Hao created a photography series by scanning
the objects she consumed every day for twelve years. In the Chinese tradition
twelve years represents the period of transmigration between cycles of fate and
destiny.
She explains – “the
very action of scanning establishes an intimate relationship between objects
and human beings”.
By gathering this data she believes this will stimulate a
desire for self-reflection within us (the consumers) and the desire to question
the logic of consumption.
This powerful display of artist’s perspectives has
made me fear for mankind and our lack of morals when it comes to consumerism
and globalisation.
I then looked at my own life and what I own – the human
labour which has been performed to make them. It makes me feel uncomfortable,
yet like many of us, I still buy things!
Therefore, it can be said that this exhibition was a
harsh but true portrayal of reality.
Next time when I’m browsing the racks of clothes in Topshop I need to tell myself– ‘By buying this you are supporting consumerist values which include; using humans for cheap labour and destroying the earth’s environment through industrial waste. Do you need to buy this? Or should you start supporting local produce more?’ – YES I should.
If you get a chance – I encourage you to pop along to the
V&A and take a look. It sends a powerful message that more of us need to listen to.
