Ephemeral Icons Print

While I may not consider myself particularly religious, my upbringing in a Catholic household exposed me to a rich environment filled with Catholic art, sculptures, and Bibles. Simultaneously, I was surrounded by the ubiquity of mass-produced consumer goods like Coca Cola, Disney merchandise, Hot Wheels, and Barbie dolls. This juxtaposition in my childhood experiences has its roots in my abuela's immigration from Mexico to the United States in the 1960s. It's often said that immigrants tend to immerse themselves in the culture of their new home, and for my grandmother, this meant embracing American brands, logos, and companies. It became her way of feeling "American." As I contemplated these influences and associations, I couldn't help but draw a parallel between the mass production of items like Disney posters and the mass production of religious artifacts. This connection led me to explore the intricate relationship between consumerism, religion, and the extensive production processes that underlie both of these facets of our society.