Compulsive Consumption

Buildings and places have memory. It’s not possible for worldly events to escape documentation by the earth, the walls of a building, the decorations, furniture and surrounding nature. One of most basic laws of science is the Law of the Conservation of Energy. Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only be changed from one form to another. So, it makes sense that the “energy” of a place and the individuals that inhabited the place never really leave. Literally, walls have memory. It was understood in our family that Grandma and Grandpa’s house was haunted. You didn’t have to listen to Grandma’s stories of skeletons hanging in the closets or from the rafters in the attic. You knew the house was haunted by that eery feeling you got sitting in the living room in front of one of the black marble fireplaces or from the push down the back stairs from some invisible but forceful entity. Indeed Grandma’s house was inhabited by several ghosts – trapped individuals that were forever tethered to the house with the magical address 345 Allen Street. I am one of those tethered souls. The house, and it’s story, has haunted me my entire life.