The (Never)-Ending Archive

The (Never)-Ending Archive explores how we can attribute emotional value to everyday objects that we would typically discard. The project stems from an urgency to reconsider our relationship with consumption: we consume continuously but rarely take the time to truly "digest" what we use, both in the physical and digital worlds. This research aims to transform the role of these 'post-consumer objects' by turning them into meaningful relics. Relics have historically offered emotional value and a sense of connection. In this project, everyday disposable objects are collected, archived, and recontextualized, for instance, by “fossilizing” them in precious metals. The focus is on rituals and the care for objects as a form of mindful consumerism. This process encourages us not only to view consumer goods differently but also to reconnect with ourselves, our surroundings, and one another. My artistic practice plays a playful yet critical role in this endeavor. By building bridges between art, society, and heritage, and actively involving students and external participants in workshops and presentations, the project tells a socially relevant story. It offers a reflection on consumption, identity, and connection, while examining how, in a world of endless consumption, we can find stability and revalue our changing sense of identity and heritage in times of globalization.