Fake Food Collection

One of the more unusual collections I’ve formed from river found debris consists of fake food.  Once upon a time I called this my “Fruits and Vegetables of the Ohio” collection, but had to expand it with new food additions.  This is also an ever growing collection.  Some of this material dates from 2003 when I began this project.

Here’s the Styrofoam box contents laid out.  Most of these items are plastic, although I have found one ceramic, hollow apple and a few fruit-objects that are also Styrofoam.  The majority of these objects are kids’ toys that were parts of play-sets incorporating plastic dishes.  A few are containers for candy novelties and lemon and lime juice.  One wonders how much of this stuff must be floating in the river since this collection is what one person at one small state park has found so far?!  There is something about making food replicas from plastic that I find ultra-artificial like Styrofoam and speaks to our general disconnect from nature.

Comparing fake apples with fake oranges…..

Lemons and limes detail……

The remainder of the fruit collection comprises mostly strawberries, but there are also grape, pear, pineapple, plum, cherry, and a rare pomegranate.  All in lovely plastic colors!!  I just noticed I forgot the banana!

Also among the Ohio River produce are these fake vegetables found along the riverbank.  I’ve also thrown in a few phony nuts too!

This expands the fake food ensemble… a couple of plastic double cheeseburgers with the works, butter, a cupcake and doughnut.  Somewhere (maybe in the trunk of my car) I have a plastic broasted chicken I’ve found, but for now this drum stick will have to do!