Empathy, behavior and visuals
Yayun Xue
We live in a society controlled by capital, where the symbolic value of the alienated commodity prevails, and people often consume for reasons other than their genuine needs. This is a new kind of desire created by the mass media, making the "process of buying" rather than the "purchased goods" the only thing that matters. This control is insidious, allowing people to submit to the rule of the commodity in a "pseudo-self-centered" way, mistakenly believing it to be a voluntary act. I explore the relationship between desire and consumption by documenting people's behavior under the influence of consumerism. Using design to critique consumer behavior and capitalist society, I take elements considered waste and repurpose them into objects that provoke dialogue.
Receipts Collection 01
At the beginning of the project, I placed an acrylic box and a guided poster in the corridor to engage students passing by. This initiative was very effective, and the number of receipts inside the box increased rapidly.
Receipts Collection 02
I designed a guided poster to increase audience participation. This poster was full of receipts, which I had accumulated from my daily life and which would attract the attention of passers-by from a distance.
Making Sculptures
I created several 3D molds on the computer, and 3D printed them to facilitate my receipts-related installations. Then cut the receipts into pieces manually, use blender to pound the pieces into finer powder.
The Sculptures
The sculptures made from this material with water are extremely tough, and the unfamiliar visual effect of this familiar material is an excellent way to provoke reflection in the viewer.