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Diary of a Product
Performed in 2020 at Bermondsey Art Gallery, London, UK. They gave me a name and I felt myself become the name. Proud of my logo, I was eager to leave the production line, impatiently waiting my turn in acquisition. The line workers said not to hurry, that I had time, but I was too animated. At the storehouse, they shined my component goods making sure my sticker stayed sticky and working parts in order. When I was accidentally scuffed up from a mis-handler, they restored me with an invasive apparatus. I did well in the subsequent exhibitions, Comparable with the other merchandise. Still, I felt awkward in my product display and slightly embarrassed of its flashy design. My shelf-life passed on and I detected in their worried glances That I was not, perhaps, functioning up to expectation. I tried harder to operate according to the manual issued with me but I felt that some of the commands were unwarranted. Eventually the supply to demand ratio dwindled and still, I had not consummated a transaction. I had become, they explained, a market risk. In short, I would not be good for their gross margin. As my product satisfaction was now negligible, servicing and an upgrade was needed, and I was recalled to the production plant. After prodding me with instruments, they detected I had an internal flaw, the result of a human error. After deliberating they decided that repair was not worth their time as newer models were already being fabricated. I showed the manufacturer my logo and explained, It is my name. He said, “Don’t Worry, It peels easily off. “ |
Rula Jones Brock