"The Comfort of Things": Daniel Miller

The change in idea from my last idea in my previous blog, to my current idea, changed due to the book titled "The Comfort of Things" on recommendation from Moira Lovell. It was one of the most interesting and thought provoking books I have read in a long time, and created the idea to focus my attention on hoarding and consumerism of the human nature.

I was particularly inspired by the stark contrast from Portrait 1 of George and Portrait 25 of Di. George's house was absent of any personal and emotional belongings, and was simply made up of necessities. Daniel writes, "This emptiness in someone's surroundings, that leaches away one's own sense of being, was only enhanced by our experience of George himself", reiterating the fact that George was not a person to keep personal attachments and belongings like most people do. Due to his history of never having a home, and living on the streets for lengths of time, I can understand why it would be difficult to keep ahold of personal possessions. The book touched on the fact he only owned one photograph in his house; a photograph of an island of the coast of Cornwall, which he has never visited, but keeps because it reminds him of his childhood.

In stark contrast, the chapter about Di looks at how she has created an identity for herself in her own home and as well as her appearance. "Her hair is bright, often also her lipstick and her clothes. There is usually something red, but other colours will also work for her. She might match gold mesh slip-on heeled sandals with orange nail varnish, or a chunky necklace with a multi coloured top. Brightness of this colour is ridiculously rare amongst British-born Londoners". The chapter touches on her failed marriage, and how she felt she needed to appropriate her home to herself, and make the house a project to prove to herself that she was still important. It interest me how people buy things in order to make themselves happy, and a collection of items or a pristine living room can make someone be perceived differently to someone who has an unkempt house. People seem to judge based on our belongings and tastes, and that is what I want to explore in the future of this project.