“Plastics & Me” is a speculative installation that brings viewers into the lives of micro-organisms. Walking through the installation that engages different senses, it probes viewers to rethink about the idea of consumerism, and how their actions are affecting the marine wildlife.
In modern society, brands and companies leverage on impulsive behaviours of consumers to sell their products. Luxury brands in particular, produce ordinary items disguised as “premium” products, then marking them up to exuberant prices. The ever obedient consumer can only wait by his wallet, ready to purchase the next big thing, whatever it may be. This breeds the social psychological problem of Affluenza, also known as “extreme materialism”.
A commentary on the absurdity of consumerism today, this project aims to help the viewer view spending from an objective, third person’s point of view. Infused with a sense of irony, it hopes to inspire more reflection on one’s “ridiculous” purchases, and perhaps a tighter grip on their wallet in the future.
The project will feature advertising styles of the 1800s, mainly encapsulating their nature of irony and deceit. This old school way of advertising ceases to exist in society today (or at least in ways which are far less succinct), as advertisers are more subtle with words they use due to increasing regulations tackling misrepresentation.
The fashion industry is expanding rapidly with goods produced at lower prices of lower quality. More styles, lower prices and more waste created. In an attempt to address and create awareness around this issue, “Dear Fashion,” confronts the seismic problem by revisiting relationships with our clothes. An elaborate photo-documentation and data visualisation of 1126 articles of clothings from 7 individuals takes the form of Fashion Obituaries accompanied by a registrar – which catalogues their aesthetics to frequency worn. With a message tagged to each clothing, it serves as a reminder on how we are falling victim to fashion consumerism today.