lee gainer: 'two months salary'
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lee gainer: 'two months salary'
american artist lee gainer is based in washington, DC and creates images that question culturally accepted
perceptions. her series ‘two months salary’ is focused on the engagement ring industry. through the series,
gainer investigates the evolution of the engagement ring from luxury item to must-have item. she discovered
the popular convention of spending two-months salary on a ring was originally invented by debeers in
1947. this purchasing habit continues today and became an interest of gainer’s. gainer calculated the
average US salaries for a number of occupations and found a selection of ring’s based on the two-month
rule. she assembled these into a series of twenty prints each featuring nine rings and the occupation name.
http://www.leegainer.com
all images © lee gainer
what about A BANKER????
ewe 04.04.09
As Peggy would say:
"Is that all there is?"
"Is that all there is?"
Mark S, Lansing MI 4/5/09 04.05.09
Well, I'm a mathematician (mentioned above), and neither I or my happily-married sweets wear diamonds -- both "bad karma" and the marketing scam.
dino 04.05.09
what's shocking to me, as a woman of marriageable age who has zero valuable jewelry, is that all of these rings look very much the same, with the exception of the A-list actor category, which contains noticeably bigger rocks. However, I see no extra beauty in one category over another. Am I devoid of taste? Perhaps, but, to me, anyone spending more than 0 on a ring is throwing money down the toilet. With 0 you can buy a perfectly pretty shiny thing.
Sceptica 04.05.09
wow, the web site changed the dollar amounts. I wrote two hundred dollars. Anything above two hundred dollars is a waste of resources, like a vacation! And I bet the ring can be had for less than two hundred.
Sceptica 04.05.09
I never understood if it was supposed to be two months salary before or after income tax.
Rob Sama 04.05.09
Hah. When you put them all together like that, they all look like ugly, garish crap whether its the A-list actor or the dental hygienist.
colleen 04.05.09
I agree Colleen and its just imposed social regulation.
Ian 04.06.09
Sorry - no edit function. My last post should have said Everyone......*is* impressed.
Laura 04.06.09
Despite what people may think, the average worker at a bank doesn't really make that much money. You have to be in the Executive Office to really make the big bucks, and really, don't almost all executives make tons of money, regardless of profession?
Jason 04.06.09
@Jason
Duly noted but I think we all know what the first poster meant. What he wants to know is how much that evil banker charicature in his head would spend.
Duly noted but I think we all know what the first poster meant. What he wants to know is how much that evil banker charicature in his head would spend.
jpwrunyan 04.06.09
http://obbop.wordpress.com/category/females-as-property/
The best gift for your female is a collar and very firm guidance so the simple typical addle-minded female is not forced to attempt what is either very difficult or impossible for the typical American female... act as an adult in a rough and tumble society that requires an ADULT to accept responsibilities along with attaining rights and privileges.
Guide your female. Do not expect the simpleton to think logically or rationally.
Reward good behavior with the shiny trinkets and baubles the simple creatures crave so much.
This message brought to you by the Females as Property Movement.
The best gift for your female is a collar and very firm guidance so the simple typical addle-minded female is not forced to attempt what is either very difficult or impossible for the typical American female... act as an adult in a rough and tumble society that requires an ADULT to accept responsibilities along with attaining rights and privileges.
Guide your female. Do not expect the simpleton to think logically or rationally.
Reward good behavior with the shiny trinkets and baubles the simple creatures crave so much.
This message brought to you by the Females as Property Movement.
Obbop 04.06.09
It appears as if all of the nicest rings in these prints were taken from the Johnny Brookheart website.
Cynthia 04.06.09
sceptica... i don't think you've been jewelry shopping lately... two hundred won't get you all that much any more.
true story.
true story.
af22 04.06.09
I hate to nit pick, but it should be "two months' salary," not "two months salary."
anon 04.06.09
Ever heard "It's the thought that counts'?
I gave my bride a "cheapo" engagement ring on her birthday. Just the fact that I had proposed brought tears of joy to at least 50 people at the party.
"PRICELESS"
Oh Yea, I bought us a NEW house too, health insurance, she doesn't have to work, three dogs, cats, gardens galore.
Take your capitalist, traditionalist crap and......
I gave my bride a "cheapo" engagement ring on her birthday. Just the fact that I had proposed brought tears of joy to at least 50 people at the party.
"PRICELESS"
Oh Yea, I bought us a NEW house too, health insurance, she doesn't have to work, three dogs, cats, gardens galore.
Take your capitalist, traditionalist crap and......
Coyote 04.06.09
Diamond rings were used as investments a long time ago. Something That could not only be used as a sort of "dowry" to the bride, but was to be past down the line, or sold in times of hardship.
Most people don't use them this way anymore, and with the knowledge of how diamonds come to bought and sold the karma isn't worth it either.
My fiancee bought me a very "bling" ring with cost only a few Hundred, used untreated aquamarine, recycled diamonds accents and recycled gold.
He spent way less than two months salary (which i am grateful for) and i could''t be happier. The aquamarine is not only my birthstone but is a good luck charm for newly married couples.
Most people don't use them this way anymore, and with the knowledge of how diamonds come to bought and sold the karma isn't worth it either.
My fiancee bought me a very "bling" ring with cost only a few Hundred, used untreated aquamarine, recycled diamonds accents and recycled gold.
He spent way less than two months salary (which i am grateful for) and i could''t be happier. The aquamarine is not only my birthstone but is a good luck charm for newly married couples.
staryfox6 04.06.09
What kind of idiot spends two months salary on a common shiny rock?
Jim 04.06.09
Just think of all the other things you could spend that money on -- something as important as a house payment, or even on a nicer honeymoon... anyone who spends that much on a ring is a tool. My fiance bought me a gorgeous little ring on sale for a couple hundred, and that was more than enough for me. There are better things to throw that money at.
Tiffany 04.06.09
It might just be me, but the cheaper ones look a lot more tasteful than the expensive, gaudy, garish chunks of rock that are on the A-list actor's list.
Sarah 04.06.09
Lady Julian 04.06.09
How about doing one for the diamond miners that work under slave-like conditions to bring us these shiny trinkets?
Reportedly, the most successful miners can make up to fifteen or twenty dollars a week.
Reportedly, the most successful miners can make up to fifteen or twenty dollars a week.
Veronica 04.06.09
I want to be a farmer's wife :) that collection was quite beautiful.
H's Friend 04.06.09
I have enjoyed your comments thoroughly. My work revolves around the idea of the perception of value and "success" as defined by retailers and manufacturers.
The images came from many websites and photographs. I collected over 520 images of rings in all price ranges. Many of them looked very similar, creating an effect opposite of what I was expecting.
I invite you all to read the complete statement about this work on my website.
The images came from many websites and photographs. I collected over 520 images of rings in all price ranges. Many of them looked very similar, creating an effect opposite of what I was expecting.
I invite you all to read the complete statement about this work on my website.
LG 04.06.09
I'm a contemporary jeweller and all these rings looked boringly the same. The diamond industry is a farce.
Ari Jewellery 04.20.09
People that buy into this crap are the real farce.
Seeing one of these in a woman, makes me think of the perfectly lame status quo this person is.
A stone is a stone, a person...well that can change.
Seeing one of these in a woman, makes me think of the perfectly lame status quo this person is.
A stone is a stone, a person...well that can change.
MH 04.20.09
the designs suck big time.
i dont think ppl buy such boring diamond jry anymore.!
i dont think ppl buy such boring diamond jry anymore.!
jry designer 04.21.09
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