Tools of Mass Consumption
276 Main St • Café Amarcord
Café Amarcord hosts Ed Benavente’s Tools of Mass Consumption for the third straight year! Congratulations and thanks to both the site host and the artist. This is #3 in an edition of 3 as #2 on view last year was sold.
Statement by the artist
Every object created possesses some aspect of its creator. The use of tools has long been considered to be the thing that separates us from other animals. The complex evolution of our tool-making has coincided with our development of a civilized society. Nothing exemplifies this more than our everyday eating utensils – the knife, spoon and fork. These specialized tools have become an essential part of not only nourishing our bodies but also, the social ritual of meal time and are symbolic of the human dialectic.
The KNIFE is a symbol of division; division can be a force which creates animosity or distrust. Division can also be beneficial by allowing larger tasks and concepts to be broken down into manageable pieces such as in a division of labor.
The SPOON is an element of support. Support is typically construed as being compassionate in the process of growth and developing self-reliance. Over-reliance on support achieves the exact opposite of that intended goal.
The FORK represents inquiry. It is a tool that is designed to securely hold and manipulate food so that it may be devoured all at once or help in place to be delicately examined and consumed bit by bit. Inquisitiveness is necessary in the development of awareness. The negative connotation of holding an inquisition is one in which only more questions are presented for an already predetermined answer.