We've been poking around the world of chandeliers lately. Our bedroom lacks the playful spirit found in the rest of our apartment so we're thinking that the addition of a cheerful chandelier may do the trick. Granted the chandelier above injects a little more whimsy than we had in mind. Do you have any idea what it's made of? Hint: It's constructed of an easily accessible material and the finished product serves as a serious social commentary...
This Chandelier, made by self-taught mixed-media artist Ya Ya Chou, is made with Gummy Bears. As recovering sugar junkies, the idea of this hanging above our bed, is taunting at best and brutal at worst. But it sure is fun to look at.
Here is Chou's inspiration for the chandelier piece, as well as the gummy bear rug below: “The series of Gummi Bear sculptures originated from my concern about food safety. The bright colors and soft textures of children’s snacks pose an overly romantic picture that draws my attention to the dangerous ingredients inside them. Artificial food colorings and flavorings have been proven to cause nerve damage and reproductive disorder on animals, as well as developmental problems and hyperactivity in children, yet these toxic ingredients are still used to attract (young) consumers. By constructing a household scenario with the embellished snacks, I wish to pose the questions: Who consumes these foods? Who has the choice to choose?” (Excerpt from an article by Brian Vaszily, founder of IntenseExperiences.com.)
We're inspired by Chou's ability to make something that looks so fun yet is intended to give people enormous pause.
That said, what did you think the chandelier was made of?
For more information about artist Ya Ya Chou, click here.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I assumed it was made of multicolored Italian glass beads...
...and I'd rather eat the Gummy Bears (I love Haribo Gold) these will get nasty/sticky in no time from the dust and bugs.
view bepsf's profile
I love Haribo Gold too! I could tell these were gummi bears as soon as you said there was something to guess.
I'll tell you what I think, I think it's a waste of gummi bears.
view K T G's profile
I spotted the gummy bears right away, although I think Chou was full of crap when he talks about "drawing our attention to the dangerous ingredients inside them." Instead, it just looks like a fun, lighthearted piece of pop art.
Sorry Chou, but those "toxic ingredients" look pretty tasty!
view highsociety's profile
My (overly-practical-no-fun) thought, too, bepsf. Surely the shellacked the hell out of these, or...?
view TheGoodBiGirl's profile
As a former New Yorker, my first thought was how many cockroaches this would draw.
view Lisa Hunter (Montreal)'s profile
You can make a beautiful stained glass window with gummies as well. Just lick the back of the gummy and stick it to a clean window. Repeat until you have a pretty design! :D
If you're worried about longevity, some friends and I did this to a tall usually inaccessible window in our high school lobby. The gummy bears stuck and looked bright and shiny for at least two years until some adult finally saw them and peeled them off!
view Kaete's profile
Ants! But for an art installation, it's pretty.
view LilyC's profile
I think you'd coat this in some sort of lacquer/varnish to keep out the insects.
Good DIY inspiration, though I'd go for actual beads.
view Cheryl's profile
I spotted that they were gummi bears right away as well. This reminds me of the tampon chandelier I saw in Venice in 2005. ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/un_cola/73608381/in/set-1581024/ )
view cola's profile
I am inspired by Chou's ability to make something that looks so fun yet is intended to give people enormous paws.
ZING!
view antimatt's profile
i feel like the artist decided he wanted to make a gummy bear rug and then he came up with a reason why. the explanation seems pretty secondary.
view erinorea's profile
Used to have a pet Twinkie. Once removed from its packaging, it quickly petrified, and I kept it on my desk as a paperweight from 1995-1998. Then, midway through the third year of its life, it began softening again. Every day, a little softer. Finally I threw it away because I was afraid... I knew something was on the way but didn't know what and didn't want to know what but something would emerge, I was sure of it, and I wasn't going to be around when it did.
Ok, well. Just wanted to share that. Gummi Bears are good.
view rosenatti's profile
Already seen it, so I already knew what it was XD
I have this mental image (assuming they're not all sticky and/or shellacked) of people attempting to stretch like giraffes to try and nibble on it, though XD
view ryttu3k's profile
It would be better social commentary if Chou's claims had any basis in reality.
view frum's profile
Crazy!
I knew immediately, having just finished off a bag of the little chewy bits only yesterday...
Imagine how soft and bendy that chandelier would feel...
Bugs would have a hard time getting there, but I suppose it's not a commercial item for a NY loft installation!
I agree, the justification sounds after the fact -- gummy bears in normal human consumption levels are hardly toxic, not that they have any redeeming nutritional value. But they are tasty so who cares?
view SherryBinNH's profile
I worry that I eat enough Gummi Bears for the toxic thing to apply to me.
I'd eat that chandelier yesterday.
view Joey's profile
Is Chou insane? I like the lighting fixture, hate the rug, and wonder why artists so often spout psuedo-science.
view Palmetto's profile
Gross....
Emily
view Emily Sneds's profile
I immediately thought gummi bears, but that social commentary nonsense threw me for a loop.
view Erika in Seattle's profile
His message fails. It makes me want gummi bears.
view StacyLC212's profile