Bricolage in Popular Culture

According to wikipedia.com, bricolage means to "make creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are at hand (regardless of their original purpose.)" And, in this day and age where everybody tries to be unique and creative, bricolage is virtually unavoidable and inevitable.

For example, the safety pin became a representation of punk culture as a symbol of rebellion. It evolved from that stage and became embedded in popular culture.

Nowadays, more bricolage is evident. People do not hesitate to adapt things in different ways than their original intentions. The fashion industry is very responsible for emerging trends as you will see below, but bricolage is palpable in other areas of interest such as:

music

The saw, usually and originally intended to be a tool to cut through softer items, has emerged as an instrument.

Who would have imagined that a cutting tool could exert such beautiful sound?

Fashion

The Keffiyeh is traditionally worn by Palestian peasants. It became a symbol of Palestinian nationalism during the Arab Revolt of the 1930s (wikipedia). It supposedly represents "radical fundamentalist Islam" and goes hand in hand with terrorism and anti-Israel extremism. Basically, the wearing of one is an expression of supporting terrorism.

Somehow, it has become immersed into American culture. Now "hipsters" among many other people are seen wearing this scarf as a fashion statement. I remember I wore a purple and white one to school and my classmate got annoyed, barraging me with questions as to whether I knew what it symbolized. Needless to say, I did not and didn't even think much of it. Like everybody else, it was just a fashionable item in my wardrobe.

Rachel Ray got crapped on for wearing a scarf that resembled one in a Dunkin Donuts commercial.

Bricolage is very visible in fashion because the fashion world is ever evolving, and ever concerned about being unique.

It has even gone to the point where they use children's toys as fashion statements (which I, personally, find very cute).

Yes, that is a lego headband.

I just found bricolage a very interesting topic to talk about, being that it is evident all around us. I find it to be a creative outlet that combines unsuspecting topics to create a whole new world of unknown culture.