Andrew Schroeder

Over the last couple of months, I’ve become fascinated with the processes involved with living a minimalist lifestyle. Aside from simply having less stuff to worry about, the big advantage that has drawn me to minimalist living is the idea of a “curated” life. I’m not certain if this is in opposition to or in perfect line with our current society’s predilection toward materialist values. In essence, humans could be considered a reflection of the things they purchase, consume, and display. When one focusses on consumption, then we are a representation of an entire universe of consumable objects that disappear from our lives after use. Additionally, we also seem to hunt endlessly for certain objects to display within our daily lives. I’m deeply interested in that schism and, consequently, what makes certain objects so easily parted with.

3 Beautiful fabric samples for a mid-century sofa… I know I know.

I’m planning on traveling to Vietnam (and possibly Cambodia) November 10 – 28th. Although I’ve always been fascinated by Southeast Asia (particularly the former French colony of Indochina), I’ve never had the guts to actually pony up and buy the ticket until now.

So, with my bags already packed several months in advance, I’m ready to take off on another (much needed) break from the daily grind to focus on art and research.

I’m devoting my time on this trip to photographing the use and reuse of former French colonial architecture. In particular, I’m very interested to see how the buildings are being assimilated into the new, globalized architectural forms of late capitalism. I find it both ironic and fascinating that the colonial structures, which symbolized the the first developments of global economic culture are now disappearing.

Reclaiming space: I have to hand it to the city of Minneapolis. Every so often, a new feature of the urban landscape appears like an apparition. Most recently, rental bike stations have been colonizing (in a positive way) the unused scraps of public space throughout the city. Kudos Minneapolis.

While riding on the bus this morning, it struck me as rather horrifying that I had no idea what today’s date is. After a desperate search for my phone (dead battery-no luck), I realized I’ve become so absorbed in my “auto-pilot” routine, that I have lost my ability to pay attention. With that revelation in mind, I’m vowing to break out of my shell and out of my coma by getting back to my priorities. First, and most importantly: less stuff and more experiences. The first part of my vow, selling off most of my possessions on Craig’s List, has been an incredibly liberating experience. Imagine, if you will, the feeling of curating your life – for the first time in 28 years. The second chunk is proving to be a bit more difficult to initiate. However, I’m doing my best by preparing myself for a 16 day solo trip to Vietnam and Cambodia this November.

Back to traveling.
Back to photography.
Back to experiencing in the first person.

“…the Less You Say” by Frank Chimero

via 1001 rules for my unborn son.

“Dissolute behavior in a coat and tie is always more amply forgiven.”

Theodore Bouloukos

via 1001 rules for my unborn son.

What you actively spend time on, and (far more difficult) what you choose not to do, who you choose not to spend time with, and who and what you decide to say no to — what you choose, then — is how you mark time. And that is all there is.

via Practical Opacity.

» Facebook Suicide | Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters

In the end, what does all this online, arms-length self-promotion ultimately provide? Perhaps it’s merely one component of the pursuit to alleviate some of the blackness encountered in the existential vacuum of modern life. As Schopenhauer once projected, modern humans may be doomed to eternally vacillate between distress and boredom. For the vast majority of people experiencing the fragmented, fast-paced modern world of 2008, a Sunday pause at the end of a hectic week may cause them to become all too aware of the lack of content in their lives. So we update our online profiles and tell ourselves that we are reaching out.

via Practical Opacity.

Things usually make sense in time, and even bad decisions have their own kind of correctness.

—Miranda July, in a 2005 interview, on the word “forever.”

via Bobulate.