Over at the Mother Jones site, I ran across a fantastic photo essay called American Happiness and the Need to Consume. The sequence of photos is very tightly constructed, taking the viewer from a starting point at the mouth of a mall-based retail store to an endpoint in a grocery store, facing a wall of stacked goods.
The selection of photos is taken from a larger project called Copia by photographer Brian Ulrich. Begun after 9/11, the intent of the project was to explore the Bush administration's directive to the people of the U.S. to stimulate the economy in the wake of the attack by going shopping.
I find a lot to admire in these photos, but I was particularly drawn to the faces of people while shopping. Ulrich has captured that moment of intense decision-making in consumers' expressions, which I recognize from my own experience of shopping. I know that look has been on my face, and I've seen it often on people around me. But captured in photos, the expression appears catatonic.
Comments (3)
I have to say that recommendation on Shrub's part was one of the stupidest to come out of his mouth. Nothing about sacrifice, just think of it as an excuse to have a party.
OK, off my soapbox....
:D
Posted by Joel | April 29, 2007 10:25 PM
Posted on April 29, 2007 22:25
Remember the most important role we have as U.S. citizens is that of a consumer...
Posted by Joe G. | April 30, 2007 2:39 PM
Posted on April 30, 2007 14:39
These photographs seem to capture not so much the catatonic look of some consumers - it seems to show the state of mind we were all in after 9-11. I know for myself that - and as you can attest to - I love to shop. There ain't nothing catatonic about my face when I'm consuming something - food, clothes or otherwise - but after 9-11, I was wandering around aimlessly. I felt lost. There was such a cloud hanging over all of us and that's what I think these photos captured.
I agree with you about the shrub. He gets so angy when we all don't act like consumers and dare question his authority. What a tyrant. "I'm the decider. That's my job and it's your job to go about your business." Meaning, don't interfere.
Posted by the cute little redheaded grrlfriend | May 1, 2007 8:51 PM
Posted on May 1, 2007 20:51