Affluenza

 

The wanting of more and more is of epidemic proportions in this current time in history.
A family’s debt load can become something that will never end, with spending in some countries at 160 percent
of their wage. The abundance of choices in objects when shopping makes the Affluenza epidemic affect everyone,
even a cautious consumer has the number of choices and range of styles which can be mind-boggling and time consuming.
The choices and the multiples are explored in this piece with the paper doll having a very large selection of clothing,
accessories and gadgets in her life.  When do we know that we have enough?

Affluenza
A painful, contagious, socially transmitted condition of overload, debt, anxiety and waste resulting
from the dogged pursuit of more. Proponents of the term consider that the prizing of endless increases in
material wealth may lead to feelings of worthlessness and dissatisfaction rather than experiences of a “better life.”

Arriviste
A person who has recently attained high position of great power but not
general acceptance or respect, an upstart.

Parvenu a person who is a relative newcomer to a socioeconomic class but is not yet
developed the conventionally appropriate manners, dress, surroundings etc.

Paper Doll - Ravinshing in Red
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Beautiful in Blue
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Breathtaking in Black
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Fabulous in Fuscia
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Gorgeous in Green
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Pretty in Pink
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Whimsical in White
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Paper Doll - Youthful in Yellow
Ink on Various Papers
20 x 20", 51 x 51cm

Affluenza
Cathryn Miller

A’s Affluenza who’s drowning in stuff.
B is for Buying: there’s never enough.
C is for Cash Flow. She often runs out.
D is for Debt Load. She’s got one, no doubt.
E is for Empty: her heart and her purse.
F is for Finance that just makes it worse.
G is for Greedy. She always wants more.
H is for Hoarding. She’ll empty the store.
I is for Income: she spends like it’s huge.
J is for Judgement – après le déluge.
K for the Kidney she’s willing to sell.
L is for Longing, her personal Hell.
M is the Money that runs through her purse.
N for Not seeing that this is a curse.
O is for Overdraft, easy to get.
P for the Payments she hasn’t made yet.
Q is for Quantity: more is required.
R for the Routine in which she is mired.
S is for Stuff that spills right out the door.
T is for Total, but who’s keeping score?
U for Uneasy, with traces of guilt.
V is for Visa: she’s maxed to the hilt.
W’s Wanting – her permanent state.
X is for eXcess: pile more on her plate.
Y is for Yearning: more money to spend.
Z’s for the zero she’ll have in the end.

 

---