A woman with a rare Labubu attached to her Prada purse sits next to a woman using plastic takeout bags to hold her belongings, just a seat apart. Cheap recession pop is back, but people are spending hundreds of dollars for a concert ticket. Hailey Bieber is spilling her groceries in a footwear ad while SNAP benefits are at risk nationwide. Simply put, the massive differences in displayed consumption are exacerbating class inequalities in the U.S.

Consumption is political, not just in regard to what we consume, but how we consume and how we display it. As we see a rise in income inequality and economic insecurity in the U.S. (food apartheid, rising living costs, unaffordable housing, a failing job market, rising tariffs), we have also seen an increase of wealthy commodity displays and aesthetics. Items and products once deemed to be common or classless (groceries, plastic to-go bags, pubic hair) are becoming commodified by companies and advertisers. A plethora of brands are using food in their promotional images, Telfar released a collection of reusable duffel bags themed after single-use takeout bags, and Kim Kardashian is selling underwear with pre-made bush.

This exhibition would explore the role of consumption as capital and as a mode of politics, and questions: How do displays of (hyper)consumption further exacerbate gaps in wealth? How do they function as a sign of cultural capital in this relationship? How can art focused around consumption facilitate discussions on inequities, sustainability, and distribution of capital in our current climate? And why do I still want to consume so much?!