how do we convince ourselves that more stuff equals more happiness? people live and spend wastefully just to flaunt the fact that they can. we consume as part of a narcissistic self-display. marketing is the most dominant force in human culture and our purchasing decisions are determined by an in-group-membership-conformity-want.  in the realm of animals (which also display their health and power), we display our peacock tail through consumption. graphic illustration by designboom.

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles ‘want / need’ glass by inna alesina, explanation panel

as species we really only ‘need’ things that provide health, warmth, an environment in equilibrium, nourishing food, clean water, sleep, sexual intercourse. everything else is ‘want’. wants, not needs, drive our current economy. targeting wants and pushing them to a level of ‘desire’ (so as to create need) is how successful products gain market share (extract of text of the exhibition).

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles a view into the ‘kitchen ecology – recipes for good design’ exhibition, curated by designboom

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles ‘log bowls’ by canada’s loyal loot collective (loyal loot collective is made up of carmen douville, dara humniski, doha lindskoog, anna thomas)

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

each bowl is handmade using only log cut-offs from a variety of trees that have fallen or been cut down due to infrastructure, re-landscaping, droughts, or stormy weather.

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

high-gloss vibrant finish lacquer in a large variety of water-based colors

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles ‘baja bbq firepack’ by mike and maaike , produced by lazzari

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

the bbq firepack (front) provides hot coals without the aid of chemicals, with no electrical energy output. it is a great way to cook outdoors.

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles ‘ufo’ by andrea ruggiero and bengt brummer

this ‘unified feeding object’ is a mono-use disposable plate for picnics, garden parties or barbecues…

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

launch it into the bushes – just like a frisbee, so it breaks into smaller pieces and serves as feed for birds and squirrels

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles ‘message napkin rings’ by japanese design team shibaya (junko shiba and yasumasa shiba)

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

‘did you switch the electricity off?’, ‘you left the TV on’, ‘no wrapping required’ …

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

‘treat food and water carefully’ painted text on hand made alabaster rings

kitchen ecology on show at dwell on design in los angeles

more images from the kitchen ecology exhibition to come!