The piece pictured above is entitled “Atomic Love” by Sandy Skoglund. I originally wrote this piece as a part of an essay about my own relationship to creative expression. Upon finishing that essay, I realized that what this particular image evoked several important thoughts warranting a place of their own.

The set and props are covered in orange marmalade with raisins and I find it inspiring for reasons beyond aesthetic. What do I see when I look at it? For starters it exemplifies inspiration transforming “ordinary” items in a concrete and visual way. How many times have you put jam on bread? What is it about how this woman’s brain works that drove her to use this as her medium?

Imagine what you could do or create in the world with things already at your disposal. Imagine the possibilities if everyone used planning and execution paired with the permission to communicate the goings-on of their inner world. This is what I find compelling. This is what resonates. Take away the B.S. peddled by synchophants and the marketing of art as a commidity and what you are left with is a vehicle for connection, alienation, appreciation and defiance.

But that’s about art in general. What resonates for me is that the perishable nature of the materials paralells the very nature of the life cycle. You start with something fresh and new. It ages. Maybe the colors and textures deepen. It is no longer what it was Sometimes the changes produce great beauty. Sometimes changes stink up the room much like rotten food. The set must be stricken and it’s time to start again. Maybe this next time you’ll appreciate while it’s in front of you instead of after has passed through. Hopefully, it will inspire you to build a foundation that allows you to always be surrounded by that which you love.

Beyond the theoretical, I am also struck by the excess. Something beautiful was created but at a cost. Trade off is clear: food is being wasted. Granted, there is no fine print on the food pyramid indicative that putting a hungry person on a jam and raisin diet is anything less than absolute cruelty. Seriously. But it does get me thinking… The money spent could have bought more nutritious food to nourish hungry people in third world countries… or for that matter, those closer to home.

All that from a single photograph. I know, deep – eh? I talk a good game, but what really drew me in is what appealed to my baser side. Raisins? GET OUT! Fruit preserves? FOR REALS? How brilliantly quirky… If there were a monkey and a ninja included, I would be all set. Secretly, I’d wanna live there. I am not kidding. Keep the jam and raisins on the top shelves and hide the step stool.

Tags: food, food pyramid indicative, nutritious food, rotten food, Sandy Skoglund

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