The artistic project “Singularity” by Ágnes Molnár explores the interplay between identity, consumption, and the environment, visualized through an expressionist portraits. The painted figures are shown in a neutral setting, with no visible reference to consumption, neither material nor immaterial. But can we still recognize an identity in the protagonist? And is it even possible to construct identity without consumption?
According to sociologist Andreas Reckwitz, since the late modern period (beginning in the 1980s), we have been living in a “society of singularities.”
He describes a social logic in which the unique and the act of being special have become increasingly important. Instead of standardized mass products, the focus today is on authentic experiences and individually curated goods – from designer furniture and Italian espresso machines to spiritual retreats in Bali. In this shift, the highly rationalized and standardized environments of the early industrial era have faded into the background.
The pursuit of uniqueness and authenticity is closely tied to consumption. Identity must be constructed, and our consumer behavior plays a crucial role in that process.
Through our purchasing decisions, we define not only our social status, but also how we wish to be perceived as individuals. Consumption thus becomes a central tool of identity formation and a form of social action with both collective and personal significance.
However, the consumption-driven behavior of Western societies is a major contributor to environmental degradationand climate change. Does sustainability mean that we not only need to change the way we consume – but also fundamentally rethink our idea of identity?
The painting “The Construction of the Singular” will be on view on August 1st and 2nd, 2025, as part of the group exhibition “TOUCH // ESCAPE” at the offices of Stil vor Talent, Wiener Str. 35, 10999 Berlin. The exhibition is curated by the Italian Professional Network. You can find more information here.
Paintings from the “Singularity” project are available for purchase here.