2.A Do Material Objects Define Me?

Finding three unique things to represent myself was sure tough. Especially under the condition that I would have to later use these things in an event or exhibit. I went through some artwork and projects that I would be proud to share but in the end I chose certain objects that I interact with everyday. I chose to photograph my room as an element of this assignment. I have put a lot of time into making my room an inviting space. It is filled with objects and collections that reflect certain points of my life. Here are three objects that define certain points in my life that have made me who I am today.

  1. 15" Silver PowerBook G4 Acquired: summer '05
    My first and only. I am glued to it for most of the day. It is my lifeline to the world. It enables me to research and create. The 'e' key button sticks and 2 of the four corners are bent. Even though it is out of date, I use it every day and it means a lot to me.
  2. Taylor Big Baby Guitar Acquired: summer '04
    Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I could never sit down and master any more than a few chords on this steel string classic. It represents my dreams and aspirations but frustration from an absence of time to practice.
  3. Classic Red Train Case Acquired: summer '01
    When my Grandmother died, most of her belongings where cleared out of her house. I salvaged a few things and this is one of them. It sits on my dresser and holds my makeup and hair pins along with a few keepsakes that remain from my grandmother. After daily use it is worn down, but it will always remind me of my delicate beautiful grandmother.

2.B Buy My Net Worth Auction:
Freedom from my weighty possessions

I have come to the conclusion that the value I place on belongings and material goods can be all consuming. Here is how I came to this conclusion. Two and a half years ago I moved from a place I called home for 18 years of my life. I traveled 7 hours south and brought with me most of what I owned. Space was at a premium and I was not used to this. I crammed stuff in every corner and went about my year buying more goods I thought I needed. After moving these goods around for two years I have become quite attached, in an unhealthy way. Perhaps I unconsciously associate these objects with my identity. And in truth, all of my net worth is neatly stored away within my room as pictured above. And this is my problem. What once "defined" me, is now a burden through development of this kind of unhealthy relationship with material wealth. I plan to travel for extended periods of time and I realize that there is just no space or time to get caught up in all of these things. I only want the essentials to live; a simplified expression of who I am which will in turn allow more freedom to travel, explore and discover while forming a true identity.

An auction of all my material wealth is a simple and definitive way of declaring a minimalist lifestyle. The three objects listed above will define the mood of the space.

 

2008 Design Experience

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