Packages are part of the visual and material culture of everyday life and they affect us more than we are often aware of. They are ephemeral, yet have a considerable effect on consumption habits. Many of them are design objects in which a great amount of creativity and ingenuity has been invested, and they often carry references to popular culture and to media culture. Although single-use food packaging will likely be thrown away, it is sometimes reused or upcycled in unexpected ways.
What role does packaging play in contemporary visual and material culture? What are the main social, cultural and environmental sustainability issues in regard to packaging? What different meanings do packages convey during their life cycle?
Karin's talk will focus specifically on a chapter in progress from her book project, entitled "Visualising plastic waste."
Bio
Karin Wagner is a Professor in Art History and Visual Studies at the Department of Cultural Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research interests include design, sustainability, photography, digital culture, and visual communication.