The “Dulce Engaño exhibition by artist Cristina Burns, curated by Andrea García Casal and sponsored by the City Council of El Puerto de Santa Maria, offers a compelling examination of contemporary dietary habits. Hosted at the Centro Cultural Alfonso X el Sabio in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain, this ongoing exhibition runs until August 3rdth.
About the Exhibition
“Dulce Engaño” takes a critical look at the fine line between healthy and unhealthy eating habits, using the universal appeal of sugar to explore the complexities of modern food culture. Burns’ artworks delve into the profound impact of these habits on behavior, mental health, and overall well-being. Through a vibrant palette, the exhibition addresses themes of nutrition, artificial enhancements, and the psychological effects of color and sugar in our diets.
Curatorial Insight
Food colorings are additives that make food superficially more attractive. However, they tend to color foods that are nutritionally unnecessary, especially those with sugar as a primary ingredient. The World Health Organization states that daily free sugar intake should not exceed 10% of total caloric intake to remain within healthy limits. Despite this, the most extravagant and unnatural colorings unconsciously prompt the consumption of sugar-laden treats. We would not eagerly try a candy or gummy if it had only its natural, whitish color, but vibrant hues deceive us into finding the product appealing and delicious.
In “Dulce Engaño” Cristina Burns presents five artistic series (Delusional Parasitosis, 2015; Sugar and Proteins, 2015; Future Generations, 2018; Melted, 2018-2020; and A New Planet, 2020-2024) characterized by a mixed and vivid color palette that captivates the viewer, establishing a primary, unconscious connection with the colorful sweets that enchant us. This exhibition embodies a sweet deception, drawing viewers in with color to slowly uncover deeper meanings. Sugar is a palpable protagonist throughout the exhibition. Burns uses it as a thematic axis, sometimes implicitly, to explore poor nutrition and what we consider healthy and unhealthy, tasty and disgusting, edible and inedible, and the fine line that separates these elements.
The works are predominantly populated by sweets of all kinds, from candies and cakes to pastries, sharing space with shocking motifs, emphasizing insects. Other animals like amphibians and reptiles also appear, alongside , toys, porcelain figures, metallic elements, rocks, and more. Notably, elements resembling food or living beings are actually artificial, made of plastic.
Cristina Burns
Cristina Burns is an artist exploring the intricate dynamics of human behavior in an ever-changing world. Her work is deeply committed to social causes, encouraging viewers to reflect on their choices and their consequences. Using toys and playful elements to awaken our inner child, she addresses crucial issues such as mental health, eating disorders, the influence of sugar on our health, violence against women, and environmental sustainability. Her goal is to raise awareness and inspire positive change through creative expression.
The “Dulce Engaño” exhibition is a must-see for art lovers and photography enthusiasts alike, offering an insightful and visually stunning critique of contemporary dietary practices. Don’t miss the chance to engage with Cristina Burns’ thought-provoking work at the Centro Cultural Alfonso X el Sabio.
More information
Dulce Engaño (Sweet Deception): A Provocative Exploration of Modern Diets
Until August 3rd
Centro Cultural Alfonso X el Sabio, El Puerto de Santa Maria
From Monday to Friday: 11:00 – 13:30 and 17:00 – 21:00 – Saturday: 11:00 – 13:30
[email protected]
www.cristinaburns.com
Instagram
Curator: Andrea García Casal Instagram
Information
Centro Cultural Alfonso X el Sabio, El Puerto de Santa Maria
Calle Virgen de Los Milagros, 89, Planta 3, 11500 El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz, Espagne
July 01, 2024 to August 03, 2024
