13 Dreadful and Disappointing Items
“13 Dreadful and Disappointing Items” were initially meant to be the first digital collectibles for Decadent, a brand created by me, Olive Allen. In the process of creation, I realized that they have much deeper meaning both personally and conceptually. Put all together they are the actual artwork…
Each item is a “token” of appreciation of what there’ve been and what yet to come.
13 items are about being young; fears of growing up, being excluded and misunderstood. They are an attempt to connect, an odd way of saying “let’s play”. Fads and consumerism themes that connect the objects are not viewed as dreadful — they are merely band-aids for loneliness and the way “in” is an ultimate “cure”.
Each object has a story and names are the “book covers” hinting on their plots.
1.
ReFurbished Billie
Billie is the first character/object from ReFurbished Friends series. Billie Eilish is a strong representative of Gen Z, the young generation that is finding their voice now. She IS the youth culture as she IS Billie. Duh. Sometimes I imagine we’re friends. And she’s the cool one who “gets it”.
2. Cool-Aid
It is believed that Cool-Aid makes your delusions seem real, fills you with overbearing enthusiasm and desire to decentralize everything. Dedicated to one notoriously mysterious organization whose members, according to a rumor, enjoy the drink very much.
3. Decadent Snake Oil
They say Decadent Snake Oil doesn’t just cure it all but also expands the boundaries of the mundane world. Can it be a cure for loneliness? It sure can! If you send it to a new friend.
4. Meanie Beanie
Now this one is an ultimate fad and a joker. He is a dreadful yet cuddly creature. Meanie’s smile hints to his inclination toward nihilism and anarchy, but deep in his plushy insides, he’s just a little grumpy goofball.
5. Mr. Coin Pig
At first glance it is no more than a grim-looking spotted pig. But don’t be fooled — Mr. Pig has higher standards than you! He never accepts anything of a lesser value than premium clout. That’s right, influence is the new “coin”. Oink!
6. ReFurbished Downtown Dweller Jack
Jack is relevant and knows what’s cool. If you’re lucky one day at sundown you’ll see a branded beanie in a mango cloud walking down West 12th Street. He’ll maybe look through you and mumble nonchalant “Sup”… Jack is a friend who said the truth. I went through hell to make it real.
7. Sociopaths’ Tears
A truly unique object from Rikers Island. A toxic mixture of Billy McFarland’s and Anna Delvey’s tears collected right after they realized that orange does not look good on them. This potion is quite powerful — it makes you start multiple ambitious ventures and raise ridiculous amounts of capital. Beware tho — nothing lasts, especially a supply of sociopaths’ tears.
8. Art and Data or Art Collector Alexander Nix
One gloomy autumn day Alexander decided to head to Regent’s Park for no other reason than to see the best contemporary artworks. Walking pensively through the crowded fair he saw the welcoming neon sign “I Thought about Fucking the Inside of Your Mind”. For once he felt understood and accepted. Truth is the power of art.
(Alexander and I want to thank Tracey Emin for making incredible art and being a total badass)
9. ManyFaces
Remember, remember, the First of November
The Faces we wear to hide from it all;
The power of reason, society’s norm
Should always be worn…
11. Alienation
Is it even real? As real as alienation and binary code. Clearly an anti-social bougie animal more mythical than a unicorn. If scarcity makes it valuable — keep this one for a long time.
12. Decadent Voodoo Doll
This burlap hideous creature might be up to no good sometimes but still has a big Decadent heart. Approach with caution — this epitome of ambivalence can make you lose your mind.
13. The Absolute End?
Inspired by Ed Ruscha’s painting The Absolute End, 1982. If Ruscha draws attention to the deterioration of language and the pervasive cliches in pop culture, this work draws attention to the fragility of our existence on this planet yet implying that it’s still not all lost and the dreaded ending could be changed.