(no subject)
Today I was a consumer. Bought an antique stereoscope on eBay before class (for my artin'), then in the evening went to Radio Shack to get new earphones (this one I don't consider an opulent purchase because I used the old pair until even the single remaining earphone didn't make noise), and while I was there picked up a monopod for cheap. Showed my mother later, and she told me she had a monopod she could have lent me. Felt silly. Bought faux fur at Stone Mountain because it was sooooo soft and I figured I could make something fancy out of it.
So most of my consumerism is in the name of "I could create cool art with this," but it makes me feel silly. I could create create cool art without so much STUFF, couldn't I? But when it comes to art supplies, I'm a hoarder.
I'd feel less guilty about it if I were making a decent wage. But since I'm not, half of me goes "Use these products, become a fabulous artist, suck up your social anxieties and sell your art for money!" and the other half me goes, "You don't need that. Sure, commodities 'inspire' you, but if you can't make art with dirt, water, and a few old newspapers -- or at least what art supplies you already have, what kind of artist are you."
So most of my consumerism is in the name of "I could create cool art with this," but it makes me feel silly. I could create create cool art without so much STUFF, couldn't I? But when it comes to art supplies, I'm a hoarder.
I'd feel less guilty about it if I were making a decent wage. But since I'm not, half of me goes "Use these products, become a fabulous artist, suck up your social anxieties and sell your art for money!" and the other half me goes, "You don't need that. Sure, commodities 'inspire' you, but if you can't make art with dirt, water, and a few old newspapers -- or at least what art supplies you already have, what kind of artist are you."