Many have written about this book as of late, many have already seen it; I know I'm coming to the party late thanks to Canada Post and some confusion between my old mailbox and my new one but hey, never too late when it comes to something as special as Kate Bingaman's new book Obsessive Consumption. I could talk about the reason Kate started her daily purchase drawings; her unique response to credit card debt and her artistic penance until her debt was repaid; but many already have and many already know. But what I'd like to say is Kate is an original, her ideas are unique and one-of-a-kind. Her thoughts behind her daily drawings is brilliant, her dedication to persevere has to be acknowledged and her work is inspiring. The book, part diary, part sketchbook takes us through a selection of her daily purchase drawings, most of which are mundane things such as toothpaste, laundry soap and band-aids; but through this journey of purchasing the mundane (and sometimes splurges) we connect. We draw comfort in the familiar, the beautiful lines and patterns in her drawings and hand lettering and we feel better about our own personal consumerism and maybe laugh at ourselves or perhaps even find something new about ourselves we didn't know. A cool book to ponder. Available from Kate (includes a daily drawing), Amazon, Princeton Architectural Press or at Powell's.
Obsessive Consumption :
What Did You Buy Today?
Kate Bingaman-Burt
ISBN 9781568988900
Kate Bingaman-Burt is an assistant professor of graphic design at Portland State University. She is a founding partner of the Public Design Center. Her work has been featured in the New York Times; in numerous magazines, including Print, Adorn, Dwell, and How; and in books including Hand Job and Handmade Nation.
