the comedian consumed
the comedian consumed
*
the comedian consumed the comedian consumed *
the comedian consumed
acrylic on canvas, tin alloy and stainless steel screen
16 in x 16 in
bananero narrative no 1
acrylic on canvas panel
12 in x 18 in
bananero narrative no 2
acrylic on canvas panel
12 in x 18 in
bananero narrative no 3
acrylic on canvas panel
12 in x 18 in
bananero narrative no 4
acrylic on canvas panel
12 in x 18 in
Influence & Inspiration
The Comedian Consumed is in reference to a street vendor fruit duct-taped to a white wall sold with a certificate of authenticity at a cost exceeding all audience expectations.
The banana, as a representative of Comedy, has been neatly consumed by society; its observations flippantly discarded along with any recollection of interdependence and human connection.
Process
Archival materials are used expressly to counter the immediate and illusory consumption of the banana.
The banana peels are patterned from fruits consumed by the artist.
Harvesting and processing accounts are taken from DoleTube’s April 2013 “DOLE – Harvesting Bananas”.
Stainless steel screen is covered by canvas and gesso for the banana peel.
Canvas, archival acrylic gesso and paint are used to cover pieces of metal alloy solder on a board panel.
A silver composite tonal base is used for the four bananero processing narratives as a stand-in reference to the disposable nature of the banana peel attached with duct tape in the Comedian Consumed.
Takeaway
Now on display is the banana’s hazardous abandonment and precariously discarded peel. What was once thoughtlessly tossed in the street started with public notices of poor manners and then onto generations of slapstick comedy.
Comedy’s intention provides social commentary, calls attention to existential hazards and then advocates for change.
The white background presents a relief outline of a bananero carrying a bunch of bananas, a reminder of the worker’s essential contributions and a proposal of final indulgence: to consider one’s responsibilities and improve towards an economy where social status is measured on the value of efforts and achievements, instead of availability of disposable income alone.