This ceramic plant pot (see Figure 1) was purchased by the author in 2017 at the Night Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand (see Figure 2). Since its purchase, this plant pot has been displayed in and transported between domestic settings in Thailand, the USA, and the UK. Over the course of these different periods, three of the pot’s four limbs have been broken and reattached with glue; one of the legs has recently been broken again and remains detached.
The values of this object have changed and developed as it has changed contexts. Within the context of the Night Market, it had economic and aesthetic significance to both its seller and potential buyers; especially to the author, to whom it was aesthetically appealing enough to purchase. As the Night Market in Chiang Mai especially caters to tourists, this object would have also had a social and political significance as it played a role in the international and intercultural interactions taking place there.
This object carries emotional value to the author as it represents memories of time spent living and traveling in Thailand, and its aesthetic value as a display item has remained significant to the author throughout her ownership of it. This object’s selection for this project has resulted in it acquiring academic significance to the author as well as to colleagues and lecturers.
The significance of this object is likely to continue to evolve in the future. Its academic significance could change through further analysis; its aesthetic values could change as its condition is addressed; its utilitarian values could change if it is ever used for purposes other than display. The emotional significance of this object is likely to change as it continues to accrue different values and represent to the author different memories and associations.
Figure 1. Ceramic Plant Pot.
Figure 2. Photograph taken by the author of the Weekend Market in Chiang Mai, a tourist street market similar to the Night Market that takes place only a few blocks away.
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