Ever wonder what went into that greasy burger from the drive-thru window? Well, it probably isn’t art.
But it could be – and is – an art FORM.
Los Angeles street artist Bleep posted this Facebook update about his Project Expired Mac, and let us at DiversionsLA in on the origins of this project and what’s coming next.
(What’s not coming next? Eating fast food anytime soon, a habit we can somewhat sanctimoniously but honestly attest we gave up long ago anyway. )
Bleep writes: “as of yesterday the final stage of #projectexpiredmac#pem “in which i encased a #mcdonalds hamburger in an acrylic case as a non-biodegradable sculpture subject to the elements on the side of a building for the last 6 months” is at hand. for the month of November I will be hosting a #rotathon taking different fast food meals from #wendys #burgerking #carlsjr #jackinthebox#innout and encasing them in acrylic boxes with air holes drilled for the passage of the elements.”
Feeling hungry?
DiversionsLA: So you’re making fast food into art! Describe the origins of this project?
Bleep: The origins are kind of ambiguous I guess. I remember when I was younger, going to work with my mother when she couldn’t get a babysitter. I remember a McDonald’s hamburger stapled to the bulletin board in the breakroom as a sort of holiday prank. When I asked about it, my mother explained to me that McDonald’s burgers did not rot… and so that stuck with me and wormed it’s way into the work.
DiversionsLA: Bleep began taping burgers around the DTLA Arts District, documenting the process with photographer HollowDoubt at the beginning of 2015. His current project arose from that project.
We asked Bleep to describe the way the food items are contained and who designed the boxes/picked locations.
Bleep: The food items are contained in clear acrylic boxes with air holes to expose the burgers. We affixed the box to the side of building. (Co-conspirator/artist) Plastic Jesus pretty much built and advised the project. I can’t even begin to say how grateful I am for the help. The location? That cannot be dispelled.
DiversionsLA: How long will you leave them mounted?
Bleep: The first project is basically on-going until it sells – time is the medium for the piece. The art will increase in price as time goes on. We are at 7 ½ months in on the first McDonald’s burger.
DiversionsLA: So, in short, rot adds value. That could possibly be viewed as a commentary about Wall Street, or politics.
Bleep: The new project known as #rotathon will be up for a month. The rotathon2015 includes five competing fast food chains.
DiversionsLA: While we’re not sure they appreciate the free advertising – but, no publicity is bad, right? – in the interest of art we’ll list them here:
Jack in the Box
Carl’s Jr.
In and Out
Burger King
Wendy’s
Bleep: They’re all rotting simultaneously. I think it’ll be interesting to see how far the rabbit hole is on this.
DiversionsLA: We do, too. How often are you documenting?
Bleep: I’ve documented it off and on in intervals of two weeks to a month apart. My photographer hollowdoubt is photographing the rotathon exhibit, and those are the images you see in this article.
DiversionsLA: What do you view as the ultimate outcome of the project?
Bleep: I love to hear what people have to say about it. I really have no expectation other than to inform and inspire. I know a lot of people are becoming health conscious these days, so awareness is a key aim with this project.
DiversionsLA: But beyond the altruistic – will you sell the pieces as individual objects?
Bleep: I will be selling the McDonald’s burger at Scope Miami Basel this year for $20k as a non-biodegradable sculpture subject to the elements.
DiversionsLA: Nothing rotten about that.
Now go out and NOT eat a burger.