At our most recent ICA Canada event, our 2009 Annual General Meeting, we had a series of very interesting presentations including ones focused on the Young Community Leaders Project and the Courage to Lead Program, as well as a live feed from Africa to hear about how the evaluation of Listen to the Drumming's Il Ngwesi program is going.

But the presentation that seemed to generate the most discussion and interest was one given by Ilona Staples on Art Against Consumerism. The presentation walked us through the origins of consumerism, what sustains it, how media plays a role and how artists are attacking consumerism through creative use of any and all mediums.

The presentation, thoughtful,engaging and comprehensive, gave us all something to consider in terms of the evolution of consumerism our own role in the propagation of consumerist culture.

The presentation is definitely one worth taking a look. Here is the link:

http://simplelifenow.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/artagainstconsum.pdf