Object-Oriented Identity: Cultural Belongings from our Recent Past

by Zsofia Kollar

‘Object-Oriented Identity: Cultural belongings from our recent past’ is a journey through objects and identities. Through curiosity, it helps discover the unforeseeable directions in our product-oriented society, where one is no longer the sum of their actions, but the sum of their own objects.

OOI is a catalog constructed as a result of a personal fascination with understanding the nature of our consumption. It investigates the odd connections between objects and history and their cultural relevance in our individual and collective identities.

Everyday objects are presented through a new lens, for one to show another side of these familiar items, and for another to question how much these objects can transform or manipulate one’s identity. Objects are becoming a part of our bodies, everything we own is an extension of the body and mind. The tools that we are shaping and that are now starting to shape us are at the edges of our comprehension. We have to understand how tools are shaping us, and how to cope with that shaping in the time of hyper-change.

In today’s world, the consumer spree carries on regardless, and a few of us are aware that we are still willing servants to a completely artificial injunction to consume and to define ourselves by what we consume.

Genres: Design

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Georgie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an interesting exercise to categorise contemporary society into objects. The comparisons between different iterations of an object, notably through comparisons of images (Bob Marley's hat vs Trump's, different instances of wearing pith hats), is an effective and impactful format. Sometimes, the images seemed less relevant at times but, at others, they gave more interesting insight than Kollar's words.
The book's format lends itself to brief and incomplete analyses along with over-generalisations and points that are not fully elaborated on. Some also feel a little unbelievable (dogs are of a 'higher status' than cats in society?) While there are many insightful comments made, I felt that sometimes the words could not do what the images were doing without them and that not every catalogue entry was equal in its insight and value. By directly engaging with other writers and the web of academic discussion on the discussion of objects, identity media, art, etc. in the introductions and conclusion, the lack of referencing is made obvious in the catalogue which makes her conclusions less convincing.
Ultimately, the book is interesting and an important read for those attempting to understand contemporary consumer capitalist culture and the way it interacts with social media, personal and collective identity, design, film, and countless other things. A very broad remit allows for many different ideas to be discussed, even if they do not always reach sophisticated conclusions. The most cynical part of me thinks this is better as a picture book to leaf through casually rather than something to read in-depth. Another part of me enjoyed and was impacted by reading this.

[Olga N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A catalogue of objects which have become iconic with interesting texts explaining the history and sometimes the background of our obsession with it. The introduction and conclusion are good, even though a little short and give a critical overview about the effects consumerism. The essays on the various objects vary a little too much- some are very deep and interesting to read, others are just describing the object. Good read overall, beautiful design.