All tagged Barthes

Breaking Up With...My Car

“I think that cars today are almost the exact equivalent of the great Gothic cathedrals; I mean the supreme creation of an era, conceived with passion by unknown artists, and consumed in image if not in usage by a whole population which appropriates them as a purely magical object.” 

 Roland Barthes, Mythologies

Most objects surrounding us are in our homes, cupboards, drawers and this is where a lot of the "decluttering" happens. But there is one mythical object which is both functional and charged with symbolic value: the car.

The Objects Of My Life

"He who knows he has enough is rich" - Lao Tzu

I have started to reflect on the objects of my life. The things I own and have collected over the years. I am increasingly asking myself what I really value and want in my life. What are those "things" that matter? I like the simplicity of the Marie Kondo filter "does this bring me joy?". But for me, I like even better a "what if" approach. "What if", this "thing", piece of furniture, piece of clothing, piece of decoration, piece of kitchenware...etc. Was not in my life/home? Would I miss it? Would I buy it if I saw it today for the first time? Would I be truly happy if it was offered to me as a present?