Rust

It seems perfectly appropriate that the bicycle that we had bought 4 weeks ago is now so rusted and discoloured that it looks as if we have had it for years. It was not an expensive purchase- remarkably cheap in fact, but not so cheap that it should disguise itself effectively amongst age old domestic stock which it parks alongside in the bike shed. It is appropriate, because like the fish tank that we bought, it was clearly marked domestic use only- do not export. Im not quite sure why this leaves a bitter taste in the mouth- but somehow it does. That manufacturers should be so explicit in their elitism of production- so unabashed in their 'its good enough for the locals but don't ever show it to the real world' attitude, is I think the reason for the distaste. Its a theme which is doubtless being explored by many artists at the moment, but the rust and broken plastic seems to me the most resilient and unequivocal symbol of this New Dawn.