COLLAGES BY BRONSON SOZA: LIFE UNDER CAPITALISM

This set of collages focuses on aspects of life under capitalism. The first is meant to emulate the constant bombardment of messages pushing us to consume in our everyday lives. Whether it be in obvious ways, like television ads or billboards, or in more subtle ways, like product placement in film and music videos. Putting these examples in a condensed format allows us to see the absurdity of certain modes of consumption under capitalism (e.g. buying more things to make yourself more organized). Looking at it this way, its easier to see how we are constantly being persuaded by surrounding media to spend as if once we buy that new thing, our lives will be magically better. 

The suffocating nature of this bombardment has become increasingly noticeable amid the pandemic. As people struggle with employment and are asked to risk their health and safety by their employers, it seems those on the top expect us to continue carrying on this cycle as if nothing is happening.

In her book Coming Up Short, Jennifer Silva states that we live in a mood economy, “a therapeutic narrative [that] allows working-class men and women to redefine competent adulthood in terms of overcoming a painful family past.” The goalposts for adulthood have shifted between generations, and many working-class adults must forge new ways to signify adulthood. Self-development and the breaking of cyclical family traumas have become the currency of adulthood in a mood economy. This poses the self as an obstacle to overcome, and those who do not succeed face harsh social consequences.

The second collage touches on this concept by showing the different ways people create meaning in everyday life, whether it be forging a spiritual path, focusing on one’s health, or a myriad of other activities. These are all worthwhile activities, but how much of it takes on the purpose of escapism under a capitalist system?This set of collages focuses on aspects of life under capitalism. The first is meant to emulate the constant bombardment of messages pushing us to consume in our everyday lives. Whether it be in obvious ways, like television ads or billboards, or in more subtle ways, like product placement in film and music videos. Putting these examples in a condensed format allows us to see the absurdity of certain modes of consumption under capitalism (e.g. buying more things to make yourself more organized). Looking at it this way, its easier to see how we are constantly being persuaded by surrounding media to spend as if once we buy that new thing, our lives will be magically better. 

The suffocating nature of this bombardment has become increasingly noticeable amid the pandemic. As people struggle with employment and are asked to risk their health and safety by their employers, it seems those on the top expect us to continue carrying on this cycle as if nothing is happening.

In her book Coming Up Short, Jennifer Silva states that we live in a mood economy, “a therapeutic narrative [that] allows working-class men and women to redefine competent adulthood in terms of overcoming a painful family past.” The goalposts for adulthood have shifted between generations, and many working-class adults must forge new ways to signify adulthood. Self-development and the breaking of cyclical family traumas have become the currency of adulthood in a mood economy. This poses the self as an obstacle to overcome, and those who do not succeed face harsh social consequences.

The second collage touches on this concept by showing the different ways people create meaning in everyday life, whether it be forging a spiritual path, focusing on one’s health, or a myriad of other activities. These are all worthwhile activities, but how much of it takes on the purpose of escapism under a capitalist system?