I honestly kind of wonder if the author is European. Red Solo cups are a thing that Europeans think is particularly American but I don’t think I have ever had that association brought up by an...
I honestly kind of wonder if the author is European. Red Solo cups are a thing that Europeans think is particularly American but I don’t think I have ever had that association brought up by an American before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen plastic lawn flamingos in real life and I haven’t seen a Pizza Hut lamp since I’ve last been in a sit-down Pizza Hut location (which I am almost certain became extinct 20 years ago).
It’s so strange to me that the author brought up the automobile but hadn’t thought about the single object most central to the American Identity: their car.
They are very US college coded (though I have some in my Costco shopping cart because disposables are more accessible sometimes) so I can see why they become a quick sign of say media existing in...
They are very US college coded (though I have some in my Costco shopping cart because disposables are more accessible sometimes) so I can see why they become a quick sign of say media existing in the US. And I think for me they do speak to that college experience - acknowledging I work in a university and so I'm biased.
Flamingo-ing someones yard was a thing when I was a kid too. And I miss the Pizza hut lamps. So maybe it's a Midwestern thing?
I found that the artist is "Paris based" but I guess I don't know if he chose the objects or just styled them An article about him Digital artist Laurent Allard takes childhood objects and places...
I found that the artist is "Paris based" but I guess I don't know if he chose the objects or just styled them
The design podcast, 99% Invisible, is actually doing a year-long series called "A History of the United States in 100 objects" along the lines of the famed British run. Could be worth checking out...
The design podcast, 99% Invisible, is actually doing a year-long series called "A History of the United States in 100 objects" along the lines of the famed British run. Could be worth checking out if this article interests you.
I find it sad that just about every artifact that "explains" America is just a product... While each has a significance, I feel like this completely misses the mark on explaining American culture,...
I find it sad that just about every artifact that "explains" America is just a product... While each has a significance, I feel like this completely misses the mark on explaining American culture, and is more of a nostalgia trip with some funny anecdotes.
I can understand that a little. I guess I opened the article with the expectation that it would be a scathing and direct critique. Maybe I didn't pick up on the subtlety, but I wouldn't have...
I can understand that a little. I guess I opened the article with the expectation that it would be a scathing and direct critique. Maybe I didn't pick up on the subtlety, but I wouldn't have minded a direct opinion on the materialism and capitalist culture that taken hold of us in this wonderful nation \s.
Without being too critical of the piece itself (and I guess it has done its work on me by making me feel things) i think it lacks some punch and feels pretty surface level. But an interesting perspective nonetheless.
I think that's a fair criticism, though I suspect that the artist who chose the objects was maybe going for this specific angle. You certainly could make a hundred different versions, all with...
I think that's a fair criticism, though I suspect that the artist who chose the objects was maybe going for this specific angle. You certainly could make a hundred different versions, all with different objects, and tell a hundred different stories of America
It would be really interesting to have some sort of project that chooses "random" people across a culture, area, nation, and ask them to define themselves with objects.
It would be really interesting to have some sort of project that chooses "random" people across a culture, area, nation, and ask them to define themselves with objects.
I thought this was an interesting piece of art, and was curious what folks would think of it. But also, for Americans what object would you add if it were expanded? For the rest of the world, what...
I thought this was an interesting piece of art, and was curious what folks would think of it.
But also, for Americans what object would you add if it were expanded? For the rest of the world, what object(s) would you use for your country?
My little list... Twelve-lane highways Domed stadiums Silicone breast implants Landfills turned into ski hills Press-on nails Mickey Mouse watches Corn dogs Jeeps The oblate spheroid version of...
My little list...
Twelve-lane highways
Domed stadiums
Silicone breast implants
Landfills turned into ski hills
Press-on nails
Mickey Mouse watches
Corn dogs
Jeeps
The oblate spheroid version of football
Blue jeans (especially "designer")
The Big Gulp soft drink size
That was quite the stir when Goop released it. There are similar tools for pelvic floor exercises but jade is porous and it's not going to do any of the things it says it will.
That was quite the stir when Goop released it. There are similar tools for pelvic floor exercises but jade is porous and it's not going to do any of the things it says it will.
I’ve never felt so called out by things I don’t do / have. And at the same time, so comforted by the sight of them. Haha I went to Europe for a month earlier this year, and now that you mention...
I’ve never felt so called out by things I don’t do / have. And at the same time, so comforted by the sight of them. Haha
I went to Europe for a month earlier this year, and now that you mention it: I didn’t see any crocs! It was so nice. 😊
I honestly kind of wonder if the author is European. Red Solo cups are a thing that Europeans think is particularly American but I don’t think I have ever had that association brought up by an American before. I don’t think I’ve ever seen plastic lawn flamingos in real life and I haven’t seen a Pizza Hut lamp since I’ve last been in a sit-down Pizza Hut location (which I am almost certain became extinct 20 years ago).
It’s so strange to me that the author brought up the automobile but hadn’t thought about the single object most central to the American Identity: their car.
They are very US college coded (though I have some in my Costco shopping cart because disposables are more accessible sometimes) so I can see why they become a quick sign of say media existing in the US. And I think for me they do speak to that college experience - acknowledging I work in a university and so I'm biased.
Flamingo-ing someones yard was a thing when I was a kid too. And I miss the Pizza hut lamps. So maybe it's a Midwestern thing?
I found that the artist is "Paris based" but I guess I don't know if he chose the objects or just styled them
An article about him
Digital artist Laurent Allard takes childhood objects and places them in “dark, solemn environments”
Turn on Reader Mode to help actually see the article.
Ah a good work around, thanks
/Off topic
The design podcast, 99% Invisible, is actually doing a year-long series called "A History of the United States in 100 objects" along the lines of the famed British run. Could be worth checking out if this article interests you.
Neat thanks!
the lawyer ads are hilarious, Ive seen the middle left on cable in Boise, id
I find it sad that just about every artifact that "explains" America is just a product... While each has a significance, I feel like this completely misses the mark on explaining American culture, and is more of a nostalgia trip with some funny anecdotes.
Maybe the fact that the author describes the country in terms of consumer products is part of the point?
I can understand that a little. I guess I opened the article with the expectation that it would be a scathing and direct critique. Maybe I didn't pick up on the subtlety, but I wouldn't have minded a direct opinion on the materialism and capitalist culture that taken hold of us in this wonderful nation \s.
Without being too critical of the piece itself (and I guess it has done its work on me by making me feel things) i think it lacks some punch and feels pretty surface level. But an interesting perspective nonetheless.
I think that's a fair criticism, though I suspect that the artist who chose the objects was maybe going for this specific angle. You certainly could make a hundred different versions, all with different objects, and tell a hundred different stories of America
It would be really interesting to have some sort of project that chooses "random" people across a culture, area, nation, and ask them to define themselves with objects.
I thought this was an interesting piece of art, and was curious what folks would think of it.
But also, for Americans what object would you add if it were expanded? For the rest of the world, what object(s) would you use for your country?
My little list...
Twelve-lane highways
Domed stadiums
Silicone breast implants
Landfills turned into ski hills
Press-on nails
Mickey Mouse watches
Corn dogs
Jeeps
The oblate spheroid version of football
Blue jeans (especially "designer")
The Big Gulp soft drink size
I'll think of more later.
that egg… seems like a bad idea.
That was quite the stir when Goop released it. There are similar tools for pelvic floor exercises but jade is porous and it's not going to do any of the things it says it will.
Seems like something that would go >foop< and result in a trip to emergency.
Guy life is so easy… it isn’t fair.
I’ve never felt so called out by things I don’t do / have. And at the same time, so comforted by the sight of them. Haha
I went to Europe for a month earlier this year, and now that you mention it: I didn’t see any crocs! It was so nice. 😊
Eh they're comfy and it's not like I'm not just wearing sketchers otherwise.