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!
Artist at Exit 0 Riverblog 
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This is amazing! Why are people throwing plastic food into the river? I can’t get over how many you have collected – thought provoking! They are obviously containers – but what did they contain raspberry sauce, lemon juice? what about the sweetcorn? this is indeed an interesting blog!
You are right about some of these objects being containers for food items, mostly candy. Some of this plastic food comes from children’s play sets. I have more of this stuff now than when I made these photos. What it’s doing in the river and how much more is out there is anybody’s guess!
I’m wondering about all the items you don’t collect and the items you can’t collect–like the chemicals in the water. Part of this is humorous that turns dark rather quickly just with the question you and Linda have raised–what is this doing in the water and why?
Disconnect from nature is right. Very interesting essy.
It’s interesting to me to see how some people assume that things are as they are presented. Yes, there is a dark side to all this…plastic food for plastic people. I’m attempting to get folks to consider this stuff and lacing this project with some humor works best than doom and gloom. No doubt there are chemicals in the water and sometimes I wonder what I’ve exposed myself too? So far, so good. Our city’s water company is located a couple miles or so up river from my site and they test the water rigorously.
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