Canon PG-245 FINE Ink Cartridge

Canon Inc.

2018

Molded plastic

3.8 x 3,8 x 6.4 cm

Purchased from Walmart, 2019

Personal collection 

There is nothing inherently unique about this molded plastic ink cartridge, depleted of the black ink that gave it purpose. It is synonymous with any of those used in Canon inkjet printers the world over. However, in a time of global pandemic, physical distancing, and social isolation, the value and meaning of this ink cartridge has changed. Thousands of Canadians suddenly have found themselves working from home, and these simple home office supplies have become essentials. A full ink cartridge means you can continue to stay in the safety of your home. Similarly, the implications of an empty ink cartridge have changed, too. An object that was simply trash once its use value was depleted is now a warning symbol, a sign that you must go out in public for one extra trip and face possible infection. The meaning and weight of value of objects is not a set thing; it is fluid, governed by its surrounding circumstances and cultures. Sometimes, it takes decades, centuries, or millennia for the value of an object to change; other times, its meaning changes overnight.

 Justin Luth