you and everything you own
Have you seen these photos by Huang Qingjun? Similar to a concept started by Peter Menzel in the 90s (in Material World: A Global Family Portrait), Qingjun and Ma Hongjie photographed Chinese families in front of their living spaces with all of their possessions displayed outside. Makes you want to have big yard sale, right? I have too. much. stuff.
Via NPR
Categories: home, photography
Responses to “you and everything you own”
Noodles and Waffles
September 2, 2010 at 9:33 amMakes me feel like my life is filled with useless things.
A house and home
September 2, 2010 at 10:23 amwow…I definitely have too much stuff.
kristen
September 2, 2010 at 11:59 amI have too much stuff as well and an itty bitty space for all of it. however, i like it all and i’m sure it will fit well in my next space, right?! ;-/ these are awesome pictures, though. unique idea.
Julia
September 2, 2010 at 12:55 pmThis is actually a really old American tradition, where the family would take a portrait in front of their house with all of their belongings. Diceased relatives were even represented by having a picture of them in the portrait.
ellie
September 2, 2010 at 12:57 pmi love the concept! thanks, julia!
size too small
September 2, 2010 at 3:15 pmwow this is incredible.
caroline
September 2, 2010 at 8:23 pmlove this idea!
kristina - no penny for them
September 3, 2010 at 4:26 amimpressive.
and stunning photography too. love the tones.
Paul
September 3, 2010 at 1:18 pmwhere are their spare clothes?
Cesar
September 3, 2010 at 5:22 pmAm I the only who has even LESS stuff? And I’m living alone for almost a year now.
Cathy Moran
September 4, 2010 at 10:25 amThe question it raises is whether “stuff” contributes to the quality of one’s life. We have an economy predicated on convincing us that life is better if we buy… I’m not sure there is virtue in less, but am convinced that more isn’t necessarily better.
Amy
September 7, 2010 at 11:43 pmAre we all looking at the same pictures? I think we’re really romanticizing the situation. Anyone who has had to make do without beds, fridges and dishwashers with a family of any size is very glad to have “too much” stuff. And the lack of spare clothes- this is why they don’t need a washer/dryer, and why you probably wouldn’t want to be in an elevator with them on the day before wash day. Take any of those guys, offer them the conveniences we’re taking for granted here and see if they can manage to not use their “well duh” voice when they say “of course we’ll take them.”
ellie
September 8, 2010 at 7:49 amI think you’re right Amy… I was thinking more of having my own stuff pulled out in my front yard, not the comparison of my yard and theirs. Regardless of any comparison, I personally think I’ve accumulated too much!
the chirpy bird
September 9, 2010 at 12:51 amI just adore everything about this! Thank you for the inspiration!
xo tash