Objects are meaningful. If one examines an object in a detective-like fashion, one can identify clues which say something about the values, methods, and objectives of the culture which created it. Remember the example that was given in class, and how the plastic trash can speaks volumes about our contemporary society’s consumerist tendencies, our reliance on oil, and our relationship with the environment—the trash can has meaning, it is connected with a larger system, and it evidences the values and methods of our culture.
Your assignment is to choose an everyday object from your surroundings and reflect deeply about its function, its relevance, its meaning within our culture. Be prepared to present your object and discuss its significance in class.
Here are instructions for adding your everyday object post to this website:
- Create a new post by clicking up above on the “+ New” button.
- Once the post screen comes up, check the “Everyday Object Discussion” box to the right to put the post in the right category
- Upload a photo of the object you’ve chosen by clicking on the upload/insert button above the text field (remember to click the “insert into post” button while you’re on the upload screen)
- Write a few sentences describing the meaning that you see in the object you’ve chosen.
- Be prepared to present your object and discuss its significance in class.