Food Landscapes by Barbara Ciurej and Lindsay Lochman

“Processed Views” is a thought provoking photo series by Barbara Ciurej and Lindsay Lochman who used familiar American junk food to create artificial nature scenes, inspired by the works of 19th-century photographer Carleton Watkins. The series is, however, more than simple recreation. It is intended to serve as a commentary on America’s reliance on processed foods and the country’s gradual detachment from nature.

From the artist’s statement:

Processed Views interprets the frontier of industrial food production: the seductive and alarming intersection of nature and technology. As we move further away from the sources of our food, we head into uncharted territory replete with unintended consequences for the environment and for our health.

In our commentary on the landscape of processed foods, we reference the work of photographer, Carleton Watkins (1829-1916). His sublime views framed the American West as a land of endless possibilities and significantly influenced the creation of the first national parks.  However, many of Watkins' photographs were commissioned by the corporate interests of the day; the railroad, mining, lumber and milling companies. His commissions served as both documentation of and advertisement for the American West. Watkins' images upheld the popular 19th century notion of Manifest Destiny – America's bountiful land,  inevitably and justifiably utilized by its citizens.

We built these views to examine consumption, progress and the changing landscape.

This picture of the Albion River by Carleton Watkins inspired the above “Fruit loops landscape”

Sugarloaf Islands at Fisherman’s Bay, by Carleton Watkins, inspired “Cola Sea” (previous)

via Ignant