Presentation: Klaas Kuitenbrouwer

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‘Odds and Ends’  by Yael Bartana 

Film

The Netherlands, 2005, 4’05”

Janus de Visser's Lecture on Trends in Buying Behavior

Where is our buying behavior headed? Where are we now as consumers, and what are our desires? How do national and international developments impact our buying behavior, and does it have an impact?
Janus de Visser is a sociologist in training and works at Science of the Time.

Lies Klumper's Lecture on Shopping Addiction

Shopping addiction is similar to other addictions to food, alcohol, and gambling. Thoughts and behavior are no longer free, but the person has become a mental and behavioral slave to buying. The physical and psychological symptoms are characteristic of an addiction: cravings—the brief rush—realizing what happened—repudiation—withdrawal symptoms. Treatment consists primarily of cognitive behavioral therapy interventions, relaxation exercises, and imagery exercises. This is done both individually and in groups. Clients gain insight into the underlying and perpetuating factors, as well as the impact of their behavior on their environment (partners, children). The goal of treatment is for someone to feel free again in making or refraining from making purchases.

Lies Klumper studied clinical psychology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She currently works independently as a cognitive behavioral therapist in Amsterdam, treating individual clients primarily with anxiety and depression. These symptoms can arise from various causes, including compulsive shopping.

‘Kopfende Hassloch’ by Jurgen Brugger and Jorg Haassengier

Film                                          

Germany, 2005, fragment 

‘Catalogue’ by Chris Oakley

Film                                                                                            

2004, 5’30” min      

I-pen pitch by Guusje Hallema

The I-pen is designed to support our fleeting and somewhat lazy purchasing behavior. This gadget allows you to click on products like clothing and devices containing chips and receive information about them on your computer or phone. This allows you to purchase them immediately; shopping this easily is possible wherever you are.

Guusje Hallema studied New Media & Digital Culture in Amsterdam. The idea for the I-pen originated in the practical course that is part of this program. Guusje is currently pursuing a master’s degree in New Media & Digital Culture in Utrecht.

Lecture by Klaas van Gorkum and Iratxe Jaio

The architect Rem Koolhaas once said, “Shopping is perhaps the last remaining form of public activity.” This certainly seems to apply to the shopping mall, a space that simulates the bustle and vibrancy of the old-fashioned town square. The atmosphere is pleasant, and loitering is encouraged. That is, as long as it serves consumption. Everything is pre-planned, and appropriation or modification of that space by passersby is undesirable and prohibited. The shopping mall may be a surrogate for public space, but its use is strictly regulated and driven by the need for control and manageability. Surrounded by the illusion of free choice, the user is reduced to passive consumer. At least, that’s the intention. Can one resist this? And what does that even mean, contradiction in the paradise of bargains?

In their project, “Stay Inside. Close Windows and Doors,” artists Iratxe Jaio and Klaas van Gorkum explore the role of shopping malls in the social dynamics of the city’s periphery. As part of this project, they organized a Zombie Walk in Overvecht, Utrecht, this year, and another a few months later in Barakaldo, Bilbao. To conclude, they will release a publication next year with essays on consumerism, public space, and the zombie. See: http://www.zombies.parallelports.org

‘Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping’ by Dietmar Post

Film                            

USA, Germany, Spain, 2002, fragment 

Lies Klumper's review of Kopfende Hassloch

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