Jenkins, W. V. (2013). I need my new ipod to make me feel happy. Digital photoshop.
Over the holiday break I worked on another digital collage. This one references consumerism, the constant updating of brand editions (good for sales, eh) and the way advertisers associate brand ownership with success and by extension happiness. This collage is different to my previous ones in that it includes less obviously assembled imagery. I did this partly to make it look like an advertisement – at least at first glance, until the viewer realises I am not selling a product here, although perhaps I am selling an idea or a thought?
In the top right hand corner in the window frame stares a small group of Asian assembly line workers. To me they have a look of despair and their inclusion raises the issue of the costs behind the production of western consumer goods such as the ipod. Apple products like many western brands are commonly manufactured in Asian countries under poor conditions, low pay, tedious work and extremely long hours. Typically the workers also live and eat on site and in essence their work can become their entire existence. Sadly some factories have even installed suicide nets to catch the regular jumpers who can no longer cope with the conditions they find themselves in.
Martha Rosler is a USA based artist who commonly uses the technique of inserting shocking images, e.g. of war or violence into conventional living room spaces, often via windows, TV sets or as a background to her scene. The conjunction of normality and shock can be very powerful and is something I plan to explore more fully as this collage series continues.
The art of life 