This project analyzed the impact of consumerism on the rural landscape of North Jordan. When we travelled around in the ‘Irbid’ district we saw landscapes covered with plastic bags, drink bottles and other garbage. These leftovers of commerce and consumption became an interesting starting point for our research. We wondered why the inhabitants of the villages threw their garbage in the natural environment. Was it a lack of interests or a symbol of wealth?

In Shatana, a small rural village, we started to collect garbage showing natural signs like fruits, vegetables, flowers and animals and focussed of the contrast between the chemical materials of the garbage and the natural references visualized on these materials. They all refer to wealth, luxury, and prosperity. The contrast between this paradise-like reference and the dry and bare surrounding was striking. We were intrigued by the display of these wealthy, natural elements on the garbage in relation to the actual natural landscape and the social economic situation in the village.

After collecting the most interesting leftovers we cut out the natural symbols from the garbage and enlarged them in order to place them all around the village. In total we placed 20 different signs within the Village.