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Mark on “You are what you eat”:
You Are What You Eat is a series of portraits made by examining the interiors of refrigerators in homes across the Untied States.
For three years I traveled around the country exploring the issue of hunger. The more time I spent speaking and listening to individual stories, the more I began to think about the foods we consume and the effects they have on us as individuals and communities. An intense curiosity and questions about stewardship led me to begin to make these unconventional portraits.
A refrigerator is both a private and a shared space. One person likened the question, “May I photograph the interior of your fridge?” to asking someone to pose nude for the camera. Each fridge is photographed “as is.” Nothing added, nothing taken away.
These are portraits of the rich and the poor. Vegetarians, Republicans, members of the NRA, those left out, the under appreciated, former soldiers in Hitler’s SS, dreamers, and so much more. We never know the full story of one’s life.
My hope is that we will think deeply about how we care. How we care for our bodies. How we care for others. And how we care for the land.
top image:
Carpenter/Photographer / San Antonio, TX / 3-person household / 12 point buck / 2008
bottom image:
Owner of defunct amusement park / Alpine, TX / 1-person household / Former WW II POW / 2007
Next Artist: Ricky Colson
Previous Artist: Aerick Eisenstein
" You Are What You Eat is a series of portraits made by examining the interiors of refrigerators in homes across the United States. For three years I ...
You Are What You Eat.
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i dont like this drawings or pictures or photographs… its not that we know what art is, but seriousley art was invented to amuse people to make them see things beyond what we see… what’s there to see about a fridge that is not clean and is all stuffed up with unhealthy food… is this really what people’s fridge look like… i dont understand how this can even be here let others who really have art in them to show what they have to show us and not let this space go to waste…
Comment by isidra — June 24, 2009
Seriously, what is so brilliant about a photo of a fridge? That is not art in any way.
Comment by Alexee — June 24, 2009
Wow it looks like my fridge… Next time I think there needs to be a little mold though.
Comment by agc505 — June 24, 2009
Red meat and Tequlia…. that is what I call a well stocked freezer
Comment by steven633 — June 24, 2009
Really interesting concept; I know I always like to look into people refridgerators (always more interesting than my own). I just feel it could be pushed a bit farther. Maybe collage or mixed media…something that tells the story a bit more.
Comment by Anonymous — June 24, 2009
Believe it or not, the freezer is almost exactly like ours. except with less meat.
Comment by Jim — June 24, 2009
Brilliant
Comment by mary — June 24, 2009
I like it. I want to see more of them. I also like that it states a little blurb about whos fridge it is.
Comment by Jen — June 24, 2009
Totally agree with Casey. Most photography doesn’t say anything it just captures pretty moments. This comparatively says a lot to me. Not surprised most people here don’t get it, I think it says a lot about you understanding of art if you don’t personally. Why paint soup can, why paint comics? Well because it’s an expression of an individual who likely isn’t trying to convince you it’s art in the first place. I don’t see anywhere on this artist’s site that says, “please help me figure out if this is art or not”. Saying you don’t like something is fine, claiming to know what is or isn’t art is another.
Comment by Anonymous — June 24, 2009
These photographs are great. They certainly are thought provoking and I like the statement they are making. We all need to pay attention to what we consume. Not only for our personal health but for the health of Mother Nature and our beloved Earth!In my mind, this is what artistic achievement is all about–make us think and make a statement. Bravo!
Comment by Casey Shannon — June 24, 2009