An artist who makes a sculpture out of marzipan does not necessarily
want to see it on the menu. As Leonardo wrote in his notebook in 1470,
while serving Prince Ludovico Sforza of Milan:
I have observed with pain that my signor Ludovico and his court
gobble up all the sculptures I give them, right to the last morsel, and
now I am determined to find other means that do not taste as good, so
that my works may survive. (more)
Impersonating a cookie has risks. Janine
Antoni made art history out of satiated desire – her teeth marks
left in a 600- pound mound of chocolate. Thanks to her, addiction took sculptural form (Gnaw,
1992).
What follows is a small survey of artists who explore the
issue of food as the odious cost of staying alive.
Alex Schweder, Still-life of
Beefsteak and Cheese
Paper, Ink, & Scented Varnish, each sheet 34″ x 21.5″, 2004 (Lawrimore
Project)
Walk on this – The Art Guys (Cheese Grid,
1993)
Marc Horowitz
“brings his research of socially acceptable narcotics to more’s r&d
lab in efforts to help increase demand for and sweeten M.O.R.E.’s
services
.”
Cosimo
Cavallaro – from his room coated with liquefied cheese, via Walter
Robinson
Here’s looking at you,
potato eyes: Ryan Horvath – P.M.S.
(detail)
MEDIA potatoes, glass, light
SIZE 18″ x 18″ x 80″
DATE 1997
DESCRIPTION potato mosaic structure, one month duration
Also from Horvath, the
cane you can’t count on, made of sugar. Cane 36″ x 5″ x 1″
2004
Blast from the past:
Alfred
Gescheidt
Untitled
1949
vintage gelatin silver print
Aesthetic grandson of Gescheidt: Eric Yahnker, Berry Astonished, 2009 Colored pencil on paper
Related post from this blog – The banana downfall, a visual survey
Blazing the trail was Miralda-
http://www.kaldorartprojects.org.au/projects/pastproject.asp?idExhibition=1093
Unfortunately he is very poorly represented on the interwebs.
He painted a gallery with airbrushed chocolate, and filled it with chocolate models of famous buildings, decades before Cavallaro.
He built giant steaks for a parade in Kansas City, back in the 80’s.
He is currently doing a series of shows about the unique food culture of cities around the world- up to 13 now.
http://www.foodculturemuseum.com/start.php
If it has to do with food, chances are Miralda ate it first.
Makes me think of Christine Chin’s work.
http://www.christinechin.net/hybrids/index.html
What about if you photograph something that looks like food, but isn’t, then print it on edible paper and eat it?
http://www.zverina.com/2002/0814.htm
Jen Vanderpool http://www.jennifervanderpool.com is one of my favorite artists using food in installations. She’s very popular in Europe but somehow underrated in America.
For her it is the sugar rich, artificially colored, squeal fest of cakes and candies that evokes ideas about consumption and the nature of femininity. You get a sugar high just walking through the door.