a pixie romanceAnalysis by: Ah’livia

Do you love shoes & purses?

Well ironically…

the Prada, Marfa store is located in Valentine, Texas.

and…

Valentine, Texas is in the middle of nowhere.

But Why ?

Artists Elmgreen & Dragset, made this art instillation.

Degrade & Disappear

The store front is made out of biodegradable materials,

and was never scheduled for maintenance as the storefront began to fade.

“Dumb” & “Dum Dum”

vAnDaLiZeD!BUT,

thieves broke windows

stole shoes & purses

and spray pained the words…

Deviating from the original plan; the building was repaired & restocked.

Except this time the bottoms of the purses & shoes were removed and cameras installed.

What do you think

?

My interpretationFaçade Storefront: This could symbolize padlocked exclusivity.

The green interior lights hail passing motorists with the illusion of a welcome sign. But upon closer approach one finds the doors sealed closed and there is no one inside to handle purchases.

Yet, people continue to gaze upon the green glow (symbolizing money), signage, and products (symbolizing status).

Money and prestige are hypnotic.

My interpretationValentine: The location begs the question: Why do so many people adore consumerism?

Desolate setting: Similar to the question “If a tree falls and no one is around does it still make a sound?”I ask “If no one is around to acknowledge social rank are symbols of status still valid?”

Vanishing act: Using biodegradable materials may symbolize the natural decay in life; including the decay of inanimate objects. All status symbols and empires eventually become outdated and deteriorate.

My interpretationRemoving the bottom: Aside from the obvious reason of deterring and catching potential thieves I noticed a few unintentional meanings as well.

Eliminating the product’s foundations may inadvertently and symbolically represent society’s willingness to accept something as real even if it lacks a strong base as support.

Also the instillation of security cameras may represent how people of high social status are supporters of BIG BROTHER.

Do people in high social rank find it easier to remove people at the bottom ranks of society as a necessary reason to safeguard themselves?

My interpretationI enjoyed analyzing this work of art.

Ah’liviaAh.livia@yahoo.com

* * *

SOURCES:-Information collected from sites using the Google search engine.-Pictures collected from Google images-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PradaMarfa -The interpretations were all my own