Steve Price- Keep Spending Stay In Debt more info:www.thisisdemocrazy.com
19 – 28 March 2009, London
At a time of financial instability and uncertainty, we are all starting to recognise the toll that consumer values are taking on our emotional health. The Affluenza Exhibition is attempting to tackle these issues by creating a democratic platform for open debate, and suggesting possible solutions through artwork, performance, talks and discussions. By facilitating connections between artists, organisations,
young people and prominent thinkers, The Affluenza Exhibition intends to offer an innovative contribution and insight towards a more balanced future.
The Affluenza Exhibition was founded and initiated by photographer and Samaritan volunteer Hege Sæbjørnsen. After excessive working patterns and a series of challenging life events led to burn-out in 2007, Hege realised that it was time for change. During 2008-9, she teamed up with artist and curator Chelsey Browne, advertising creative turned charity addict, Iskra Tsaneva, and design writer and social media guru Kate Andrews.
Together they shared a passion to explore the causes of these social problems and soon recognised an evident need for constructive suggestions for a positive future.
The term ‘affluenza’ refers to ‘the disease of affluence’ as detailed in Oliver James’ 2008 book on the subject.
According to James, ‘Affluenza’ is “a painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting from the dogged pursuit of more”. By placing such high value on money, possessions, physical and social appearances, and even fame, we are soon unable to distinguish between our needs and wants.
The Affluenza project has the support of Oliver James, and the charity Samaritans.
Exhibition
The Affluenza Exhibition will include the work of over 30 multidisciplinary international artists. It aims to promote emerging new artists by showing their work alongside more established artists, thus creating an inclusive environment of creative exchange. The 10,000 sq ft venue in North London has ample space to accommodate a range of practices, from performance events to large-scale installation works.
Based on submission, the chosen artists have been selected by a panel of high profile creative professionals:Jonathan Barnbrook (Barnbrook Design), Silvia Sgualdini (Lisson Gallery), Michael zerwinski (Design Museum) and Hege Sæbjørnsen (Project Manager).
www.theaffluenzaexhibition.org
