artist annatation

When analysing this photo, I wanted to treat the subject like a classical still life painting, and focus on the objects. I chose to focus on fast food because it is so ubiquitous and not something that would normally be treated to a still life, plus I loved all of the hidden extras that fast food comes with (globalization, marketing, obesity, over farming, immigrants, science, genetics, capitalism, etc...)

 

 When researching this image the photographer wanted to relate back o the program "Super Size Me," and accepted anything extra they threw his way (like sauces, and ketchup, and salt and pepper) and I got a ton.

Even though Michael Rousseau intention was (and still is) to show the horror of the food, and to display it exactly as it is served - no glamour or fancy product photography, he became more fascinated by the colour and textures in this "food", and quickly became more interested in painting exactly what he saw.  It became an American Landscape.  The colour of McDonald's french fries were golden and Burger King's were more translucent, chicken mcnuggets were golden green.  burger buns were orange - but the cheese was even more orange -  the wax paper was a visual treat of reflected blues, oranges, greens, purples and reds.  The entire picture was an exercise in texture and colour relationships.  The food/packaging was remarkably reflective and the colours were found everywhere. 

 

 

In an age of Fast/Immediate/Now, Michael wanted to slow down and look at what we as a society are doing, what we target at children, and what passes for food?