Food and waste seem to stand on two opposite ends of the digestive network’s spectrum: on the one hand, there is that which is destined to be ingested; on the other, that which stands as the result of consumption. There is rarely crossover between the two, for their juxtaposition is sure to generate abjection. While I appreciate how abject matter translates into art, my interest lies elsewhere. I wonder about the temporal qualities of waste and food, their respective values, and their ability to open up unanticipated futures when displayed in artworks.
Dubé, Joëlle. “Waste as Narrative Devices in Contemporary Artworks.” Esse (online residency) (May 2023).
