Accumulation As An Art Form

I am fascinated by Song Dong’s “Waste Not” instillation. The instillation can be viewed from both the first floor and an aerial view from the second floor looking down on the instillation. The Modern Museum of Modern Art is where his life as art instillation is displayed. For around forty years, Song Dong’s mother held onto birdcages, shopping bags, bottle caps, jump ropes, tooth paste tubes, mittens and bowls in her small wooden house in Beijing. With the unexpected and tragic death of Song’s father in 2002, Song’s mother collected everything as if in a way the stuff could help her with the grief. Song convinced his mother to help him order the chaos into a more organized collection. This collection signified deprivation, attachment, evanescence, and loss for Song and his mother.
I think the instillation is both unique and emotional. The view from above helps the viewers see the organization and order of all the materials that were collected. The fact that Song made the chaos into a well organized and eye appealing instillation makes it not only art but art in a new form. He was able to tell his life story based on the items that are portrayed in the instillation and have meaning behind it. It is mind-blowing to see how much stuff one can accumulate throughout their life if they do not throw out any of the unnecessary objects. The instillation tells the story of a typical life of a Chinese woman however has an emotional connection with Song and his mother after his father’s death.
Song shows that hoarding, which can sometimes be seen as a disorder, can sometimes be a beautiful thing. This collection included everything from takeout boxes to soda cans. This instillation not makes art out of the little things we take for granted and often disregard, but also shows the struggle with the loss of Song’s father. Above his instillation there is a neon sign saying “Dad, don’t worry. Mum and we are fine.” This sign signifies the emotion behind the art and I feel that it is neon so that it stands out so that the viewers can sympathize with his loss. I feel Song made this instillation for his mother and wants people to feel the emotion involved in creating the organized chaos instillation.