Comments on: Objectification of desire: part one http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733 The daily organ of the Northeast Corridor Social Club Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:32:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: PB http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50115 PB Sat, 08 Sep 2007 01:30:45 +0000 http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50115 My job security depends on people wanting stuff they don't really need and then replacing it when the 840 page Vogue magazine tells them the color is out - from a housewares perspective - only to buy again 20 years later when it become cool again. I should be cynical and jaded, but when I open my own cupboard of plates and teapots and bowls and run my fingers over the glaze and hold it up to the light, I totally get it. I am a purveyor of stuff because I adore stuff and can reassure other people that they have permission to hoard stuff. I love images like the myna bird nest or dragon gold - the idea that we need objects to layer, pad, line our world and help define us or comfort us when the more abstract interpretations won't do. I have a friend who prides herself on having only disposible items in her life - no attachments. And I think, why? If fate takes my stuff from me fine - I will deal. But until then - ooooooooo, pretty. My job security depends on people wanting stuff they don’t really need and then replacing it when the 840 page Vogue magazine tells them the color is out – from a housewares perspective – only to buy again 20 years later when it become cool again. I should be cynical and jaded, but when I open my own cupboard of plates and teapots and bowls and run my fingers over the glaze and hold it up to the light, I totally get it. I am a purveyor of stuff because I adore stuff and can reassure other people that they have permission to hoard stuff. I love images like the myna bird nest or dragon gold – the idea that we need objects to layer, pad, line our world and help define us or comfort us when the more abstract interpretations won’t do. I have a friend who prides herself on having only disposible items in her life – no attachments. And I think, why? If fate takes my stuff from me fine – I will deal. But until then – ooooooooo, pretty.

]]> By: AW http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50107 AW Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:12:48 +0000 http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50107 I look forward to the next part of your post. I look forward to the next part of your post.

]]> By: AW http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50106 AW Fri, 07 Sep 2007 22:10:02 +0000 http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50106 I really enjoyed your meditation on "stuff," the way it is designed--or not--and our relationship to it. I tend towards not being much of a pack-rat, myself, but the few things I do hang onto, I attach to fiercely. Especially if they are handmade or reflect careful design. I had a similar experience at the Victoria and Albert museum. Each object had a story--about how it was made or designed--that spoke to the time, culture, and personal vision of the person who made or designed it. These stories fascinated me, and I think that's why the objects do, too. I really enjoyed your meditation on “stuff,” the way it is designed–or not–and our relationship to it. I tend towards not being much of a pack-rat, myself, but the few things I do hang onto, I attach to fiercely. Especially if they are handmade or reflect careful design.

I had a similar experience at the Victoria and Albert museum. Each object had a story–about how it was made or designed–that spoke to the time, culture, and personal vision of the person who made or designed it. These stories fascinated me, and I think that’s why the objects do, too.

]]> By: Bryan http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50094 Bryan Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:55:18 +0000 http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50094 this kind of collecting also requires a certain amount of leisure. i *want* to have time to rummage looking for that perfect 50s teapot -- same thing with buying furniture and clothes -- but somehow i never have the time to spend browsing and shopping. this kind of collecting also requires a certain amount of leisure. i *want* to have time to rummage looking for that perfect 50s teapot — same thing with buying furniture and clothes — but somehow i never have the time to spend browsing and shopping.

]]> By: Kate the Great http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50091 Kate the Great Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:38:51 +0000 http://www.greatwhatsit.com/archives/1733#comment-50091 Or that tin that used to have chocolate in it but it grew stale, and you kept the tin because you though it was cool-looking, but you used the lid as a palate for your paint. It's never been a good size to hold anything, and it's got little chocolate crumblies encrusted to the inside... Yeah, I hope you throw that away eventually. Of course, it's all in your concept of what is treasure and what is junk. Or that tin that used to have chocolate in it but it grew stale, and you kept the tin because you though it was cool-looking, but you used the lid as a palate for your paint. It’s never been a good size to hold anything, and it’s got little chocolate crumblies encrusted to the inside… Yeah, I hope you throw that away eventually.

Of course, it’s all in your concept of what is treasure and what is junk.

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