The 'Big Thank You' Project
Fine Art Photography BA Honors degree show piece. Displayed at the Glasgow School of Art degree show 11th - 20th June 2009.
The inspiration behind the big thank you project
Most of us adapt into a set routine, whether we want to or not. Going to work everyday, shopping at the same generic supermarket, eating the same foods, waking up at the same time, abiding by the rules. I too, enjoy monotony; it keeps me grounded, as it keeps many of us grounded. I also despise monotony; it adds futility to our existence, keeping us trapped in our own secluded worlds and routines. By drawing attention to the monotonous, I question the function of society and the purpose we serve within it. I like to observe others, noticing the overlooked, questioning why it is so, and examining it further. I like to pay attention to these routines and what path they take us down if any.
The Big Thank You Project is by far my most ambitious project to date. Since January 2009, I have been writing to companies & manufacturers thanking them for their product or service which I have benefited from. The letters are all different, detailing what it is I like about the product and why I use it. The resulting work is a 300 identically framed (and still growing) installation of the letters I have sent and the ones I have received in return.
The inspiration for this project was found in the continual observations of myself and others, the routines we uphold and the overwhelming desire I have to continually ask questions. What if I did the opposite to what is standard? What if I thanked instead of complained? What if I drew attention these goods which make us human? These ‘needs’ we really have. Are they really needs? Appreciation is something which is often forgotten, or not fully ‘appreciated’. We say things so much the meaning is lost, we don’t say it at all and the meaning was never there. The work is multi-layered and continuing to grow. It was a simple idea which ran faster than I could keep up. I am still running.
The Big Thank You Project tackles the issue of (hyper) consumption head on by I drawing attention to what we want and what we need, whilst highlighting the importance of gratuity. Through sheer quantity, eased by a sense of naivety, I compel the viewers to question themselves. I too am questioning myself. But I guess that is what its all about.
The rather demoralising idea of a ‘big brother’ monopolised, capitalist society is emphasised by my determined but feeble Kafkaesque attempts to conquer the institution. I refuse to succumb to the complexities of modern Internet correspondence to communicate with my chosen target; instead I opt for the personal, the written letter.
The work has a generally optimistic feel to it but can be mistaken for a tongue in cheek nudge at society, balancing between sarcasm and sincerity. The strength of this piece lies precisely in its ambivalence. The work is genuine, honest and real but as my work is often laced with sarcasm, it is easy to see why the cynics may think otherwise. To those who look chose to look further, beneath the surface of the work, the darker aspects of the project are revealed. The subject of our materialist society is discussed, if in nothing but the sheer volume of letters sent. Are we simply functioning organisms made up of all this ‘stuff’, merely existing from day to day? Am I, myself defined by the goods I chose to use? Do I even have a choice in the matter? Philosophy is embedded in my work, especially in my most recent correspondence work, but it only seen if you choose to see it. The Big Thank You Project is as much a personal exploration as it is a statement of society. More pertinent than ever in light of the credit crunch and the fact that we as a species are consuming more goods than ever before, the work speaks to all.
The huge wall display of letters is in itself intimidating, paralleling the consumer versus corporation relationship. The intricately hung work is a reflection of ourselves, and the laborious process involved in making the work, a reflection of us as humans, our existence, and the maintenance of the routines we have developed.
By opening a window into my life, sharing with others the products I enjoy and that benefit me, I am inviting the viewer to explore theirs.
A small donation for this project was received from several companies. Please see the 'links' section for more details.
The exhibition would not have been possible without the help from Anna Roberston, Victoria Baker and Hanna Hewins, so thank you.
For more information about the project, or for information about prices, please feel free to contact me:- harrietlowther@aol.co.uk
@harrietlowther on Twitter
The inspiration behind the big thank you project
Most of us adapt into a set routine, whether we want to or not. Going to work everyday, shopping at the same generic supermarket, eating the same foods, waking up at the same time, abiding by the rules. I too, enjoy monotony; it keeps me grounded, as it keeps many of us grounded. I also despise monotony; it adds futility to our existence, keeping us trapped in our own secluded worlds and routines. By drawing attention to the monotonous, I question the function of society and the purpose we serve within it. I like to observe others, noticing the overlooked, questioning why it is so, and examining it further. I like to pay attention to these routines and what path they take us down if any.
The Big Thank You Project is by far my most ambitious project to date. Since January 2009, I have been writing to companies & manufacturers thanking them for their product or service which I have benefited from. The letters are all different, detailing what it is I like about the product and why I use it. The resulting work is a 300 identically framed (and still growing) installation of the letters I have sent and the ones I have received in return.
The inspiration for this project was found in the continual observations of myself and others, the routines we uphold and the overwhelming desire I have to continually ask questions. What if I did the opposite to what is standard? What if I thanked instead of complained? What if I drew attention these goods which make us human? These ‘needs’ we really have. Are they really needs? Appreciation is something which is often forgotten, or not fully ‘appreciated’. We say things so much the meaning is lost, we don’t say it at all and the meaning was never there. The work is multi-layered and continuing to grow. It was a simple idea which ran faster than I could keep up. I am still running.
The Big Thank You Project tackles the issue of (hyper) consumption head on by I drawing attention to what we want and what we need, whilst highlighting the importance of gratuity. Through sheer quantity, eased by a sense of naivety, I compel the viewers to question themselves. I too am questioning myself. But I guess that is what its all about.
The rather demoralising idea of a ‘big brother’ monopolised, capitalist society is emphasised by my determined but feeble Kafkaesque attempts to conquer the institution. I refuse to succumb to the complexities of modern Internet correspondence to communicate with my chosen target; instead I opt for the personal, the written letter.
The work has a generally optimistic feel to it but can be mistaken for a tongue in cheek nudge at society, balancing between sarcasm and sincerity. The strength of this piece lies precisely in its ambivalence. The work is genuine, honest and real but as my work is often laced with sarcasm, it is easy to see why the cynics may think otherwise. To those who look chose to look further, beneath the surface of the work, the darker aspects of the project are revealed. The subject of our materialist society is discussed, if in nothing but the sheer volume of letters sent. Are we simply functioning organisms made up of all this ‘stuff’, merely existing from day to day? Am I, myself defined by the goods I chose to use? Do I even have a choice in the matter? Philosophy is embedded in my work, especially in my most recent correspondence work, but it only seen if you choose to see it. The Big Thank You Project is as much a personal exploration as it is a statement of society. More pertinent than ever in light of the credit crunch and the fact that we as a species are consuming more goods than ever before, the work speaks to all.
The huge wall display of letters is in itself intimidating, paralleling the consumer versus corporation relationship. The intricately hung work is a reflection of ourselves, and the laborious process involved in making the work, a reflection of us as humans, our existence, and the maintenance of the routines we have developed.
By opening a window into my life, sharing with others the products I enjoy and that benefit me, I am inviting the viewer to explore theirs.
A small donation for this project was received from several companies. Please see the 'links' section for more details.
The exhibition would not have been possible without the help from Anna Roberston, Victoria Baker and Hanna Hewins, so thank you.
For more information about the project, or for information about prices, please feel free to contact me:- harrietlowther@aol.co.uk
@harrietlowther on Twitter