To conduct the project we spent two days travelling around the circle line. We spent time on the trains, on the platforms, in the stations and in the surrounding areas. During our time we observed, recording the data predominantly through photographs. But also made notes on our feelings and emotions that were generated at each station and through our process. The focus of our observation was consumerism and how it was linked with the circle line. Our aim was to raise awareness about how the two subjects, the circle line and consumerism are so closely linked
The Stations
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Gloster Road- Tescos
Another street corner another Tescos Express. Tesco enjoys today a fairly large market lead, and is using it to good effect. The company is able to undercut other chains because of its huge buying power and profits, cutting prices well below what others can cut to. Tescos has become a feature in the everyday life of many. They are strategically positioned though out the towns’ and cities. Often the traditional paper stand is still directly outside the tube station but now the familiar blue and white writing can be see just behind the news paper stand. Just by crossing the road the traveller can not only pick up a chocolate bar with his news paper but he can pick up a sandwich, a bottle of wine for later and restock his wallet by requesting cash back.
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Liverpool Street- On Tap
Everything under one roof. Perfect for meeting the needs of everyone. So many different people pass through this station each one has a different purpose ad a different amount of time to spare. But here it is on tap and the consumers are able to absorb the flow.
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Temple- Starbucks
A random cup, one of many sprinkled in and around the underground stations. The purchasing of a coffee to accompany their journey is a familiar scenario for many. For some an essential part of their every day life.
Starbucks, that nice place to have a coffee, with its arty, eco friendly, homely appeal.
It makes you feel all special, like your some kind of flaneur,
a real person of the new millennium, stopping your busy lifestyle to break for coffee.
Starbucks is your thing, you feel like a Sartre or some other french intellectual.
You my friend are a Mug.
(www.spacehijackers.co.uk/starbucks)
Why is there the burning desire to purchase a coffee? It’s like it is needed to complete your journey.
Thousands of stores, like a plague infesting our high streets, a McDonalds for the new media generation. Virtually every street corner will soon contain that nippleless mermaid
(www.spacehijackers.co.uk/starbucks)
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Notting Hill Gate- Picket Pocket Market
Pickpocketing is one of the oldest and most widespread crimes in the world. The appeal is its relative safety: A skilled pickpocket can make off with just as much money as an armed robber. By the time the victim even realizes what has happened, the pickpocket is long gone. When you're travelling, a pickpocket can easily ruin your trip, lifting your money, credit cards and identification in a few seconds. And there's very little hope of getting any of your stuff back. We all hope that pickpocketing won’t be a part of our everyday life but for some it is their everyday life. It is just another way of being a part of the process of consumerism
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Baker Street- Tuition fees
The University of Westminster located at Baker Street is a reminder of how the student is very much involved in the consumerism cycle despite being labelled as ‘time wasters’
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Farringdon- 24 Hour access
The consumption process never ceases. There is a need within us to consume. While there is this need there are going to be those who are willing to meet the need, any time of day. Every minute is a minute that can be used to contribute to the consumption process.
