 Affluenza By Cathryn Miller Grasswood, Saskatchewan, Canada: Byopia Press, 2015. Edition of 24. 5.5 x 4.75" lidded box. Set of digitally printed accordions with paper doll, custom wrapped crayons, simulated till tape. Materials: paper, crayons, self-adhesive labels, purchased tin. Linocuts by Monique Martin. Writing, digital design, custom production (printing and assembly) by Cathryn Miller. Signed and numbered by Miller. Cathryn Miller: "I collaborated on this work with Monique Martin because we both feel that rampant consumerism is a major social problem. It not only leads to things like appalling working conditions in third world factories and massive personal debt in North America, it doesn't really make the ultimate consumers happy. One might define Affluenza as a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety, and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more. Proponents of the term consider that over-emphasis on endless increases in material possessions may lead to feelings of worthlessness and dissatisfaction rather than experiences of a 'better life'. Affluenza, a paper doll with more clothes and accessories than she can ever use, and certainly far more than she needs, is representative. The alphabet poem describing her condition is symbolically printed as a till tape." Colophon: "You, too, can be an enabling co-dependent. Just colour far more clothes and accessories than Affluenza can use. Three custom-wrapped crayons are provided, but feel free to use crayons or coloured pencils that you might already have. If you are truly committed to making sure that Affluenza has far more than she (or anyone) needs, pages from the book provided may be photocopied as desired." |