food in the arts

 

    
     
   
 
MATTHEW HERBERT/ POPULAR MUSIC/ MUSIC MAIN
 
 
THE TRUNCATED LIFE OF A MODERN   INDUSTRIALISED CHICKEN
 field recordings:
 30,000 broiler chickens in one barn
 24,000 one minute old chicks in one room of a commercial hatchery
 40 free-range chickens in a coop
 one of those chickens being killed for a local farmers’ market and its
 feathers washed and plucked
 a dozen organic eggs from tescos
 a 2.0l 21cm pyrex classic bowl made in the uk
  
the average age of a british broiler chicken is between 36 and 41 days
  
all melodies and chords are samples of eggs on pyrex bowls and played by phil parnell, dave o’higgins, pete wraight and matthew herbert
  
all live percussion is made from a dozen organic free-range eggs, egg boxes and egg cups and played with chopsticks by leo taylor
  
the bassline is a ‘cheep’ from a minute-old chick pitched down
 
 
 

THESE BRANDED WATERS
studio recordings are of different bottled waters:

dasani: water magnesium sulphate, potassium chloride, salt, ozone. (picked up on plane from canada). owned by coca cola.
thames water tap water.
highland spring (owned by a consortium based in lichtenstein)
evian (bought at sainsburys local) distributed by coca cola in north america
san pelllegrino in glass bottle (found in fridge) owned by nestle
perrier owned by nestle
vittel owned by nestle
perfectly clear, red apple flavour ‘sugar free’: spring water, citric
acid, flavourings, sweetener (aspartame), preservatives (potassium
sorbate, sodium benzoate) contains a source of phenylalaine
aqua pura 2 litre official bottled water of jaguar uk athletics great britain athletics team

my recent french water bottle said recently: ‘your hydration partner’
www.bottledwaterweb.com has more details about these waters and their corporate owners

in india, 69 per cent of the people do not have access to sanitary services
the track is 182 bpm because it takes 182,000 litres of water to make one ton of steel

sanitation coverage is 53% in bangladesh, so the track is 5’30’ long
www.rainwaterharvesting.org

how about we turn off public ornamental fountains until the rest of the world has clean drinking water and sanitation?

all melodies and chords are a sample of blowing over the top of a sanpellegrino bottle and played by phil parnell, dave o’higgins, pete wraight and matthew herbert

live percussion is made from all the empty bottles plus a malvern (coca cola) water cooler for a kick drum and played by leo taylor

fight compulsory fluoride in uk tap water

 
 
PIGS IN SHIT
field recordings of tesco’s healthy living british butchers’ choice pork sausages british pork 67%. water rusks wheat flour, salt, potato starch salt, spices, stabilizers (tetrasodium diphosphate, disodium diphosphate) dextrose, antioxidant (ascorbic acid) preservative (sodium metabisulphite) dried herbs, filled into non-uk beef protein casings
 
 
AN EMPIRE OF COFFEE
studio recordings:
60 vietnamese robusta beans being dropped in to an empty container of monsanto-made roundup weedkiller. roundup ultra contains the same active ingredient as agent orange, a herbicide used in vientam and now used in colombia in the ‘war on drugs’. (60 vietnamese robusta beans was the choice of beethoven and the same as an average starbucks espresso)

the puncture of a nescafe instant coffee jar 2 x sara lee instant croissant mix tins connected with a piece of garden string and then plucked to make the bass line yeminii mocha: the original coffee, from the home of osama, sucked in and spat out

the vietnam robusta grean beans in detail:
washed grade one – polished
moisture 12.5% max
black beans 0%
broken beans 0.3% max
foreign matter 0.1% max
bean size min 90% on screen 18
date of sample 10/02/2004
bpm 79.939000 (population of vietnam)

2,4,2,4,5 chemical numbers in agent orange (agent orange was a 50/50 mix of two herbicides, 2,4,-d (2,4, dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and 2,4,5-t (2,4,5 trichlorophenoxyacetic acid).

we have been given kind permission by harper collins to reprint a chapter of antony wild’s book on the history of coffee. you can read part of the story about vietnamese coffee and why it is represented here.

All melodies and chords are samples of coffee cups, coffee tins and nestle coffee jars and played by phil parnell, dave o’higgins, pete wraight and matthew Herbert live percussion is made from a large maxwell house coffee tin, a milk carton, and the roundup weedkiller container as a kick drum, and played by leo taylor
notes, slurps, ideas and authoritative gestures by antony wild
 
 
CELEBRITY
this track is made entirely from food endorsed by celebrities or tied in with a marketing strategy. coincidentally, it is all food aimed at children, and is all of dubious nutritional value. my personal favourite is shrek cereal: a tie-in with a film that says you can still be loved if you are fat, used to sell heavily-processed breakfast cereal that, ahem, makes you fat.

my face is in a movie
my picture’s in a store
i’m climbing like an angel
’cause i need more

i’m sponsored and promoted
tied-in, commodified
if money equals murder
i’m doing time

always felt like selling something
guess it might as well be myself
cash me in to little pieces
for this love

don’t care what makes it taste good
don’t care what gives it fizz
where money is the question
the answer is

make my balance fatter
spend me straight to hell
when money’s all that matters
you are what you sell

always felt like selling something
guess it might as well be myself
just gotta find something that i stand for
for this love

give me your money
give me all your money
’cause i need more

go gordon, go ramsay, go beyonce, go beyonce

ingredients:

blue celebration cake ingredients:
sugar, wheat flour, pasteurised whole egg, vegetable margarine (vegetable oil, and hydrogenated vegetable oil, water, salt), plum and raspberry jam (glucose-fructose syrup, plums, raspberries, sugar, gelling agent: pectin, citric acid, acidity regulator: trisodium cirtrate, colour: anthocyanins), glucose syrup, partially reconstituted dried skimmed milk, vegetable shortening (vegetable oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil, emulsifier: mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids), butter, humectant (vegetable glycerine), flavouring, modified tapioca starch, modified maize starch, soya flour, invert
sugar syrup, raising agents (disodium diphosphate, sodium bicarbonate), stabilisers (xanthan gum, tragacanth), preservatives (potassium sorbate, sorbic acid), salt, dried egg white, colours (quinoline yellow, carmoisine, ponceau 4r, brilliant blue fcf, vegetable carbon), shellac.

pringle’s original: dehydrated potatoes, vegetable oil, corn flour, wheat starch (gluten free), maltodextrin, emulsifier: e 471, salt and dextrose, 0.3% protein (codex alimentarius).

diet coca-cola: carbonated water, colour (caramel e150d), sweeteners (aspartame, acesulfame k), flavourings (including caffeine), phosphoric acid, citric acid, preservative (e 211). contains a source of phenylalanine.
sugar puffs-(quaker oats ltd): wheat, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, honey (3%), glucose syrup, molasses, niacin, iron, riboflavin (b2), thiamin (b1).
kellogg’s frosties turbo: maize, sugar, chocolate cereal pieces (12%), (cereal flours {wheat, rice, oat}, sugar, glucose syrup, chocolate, cocoa powder, hydrogenated vegetable oil, fat reduced cocoa powder, tricalcium phosphate, salt, flavouring), malt flavouring, salt, calcium carbonate, glucose-fructose, syrup, niacin, iron, vitamin b6, thiamin (b1), riboflavin (b2), folic acid, vitamin b12.
kellogg’s rice crispies: rice, sugar, salt, glucose-fructose syrup, barley malt flavouring, niacin, iron, vitamin b6, riboflavin (b2), thiamin (b1), folic acid, vitamin b12.

kellogg’s screaming fruit winders strawberry: fruit (70%) (pear puree from concentrate, strawberry puree from concentrate), glucose syrup, maltodextrin, sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oil, gelling agent (pectin), emulsifiers (mono and diglycerides of fatty acids), natural strawberry flavouring, elderberry juice concentrate, citric acid, acidity regulator (sodium nitrate), antioxidant (ascorbic acid), maltic acid.

weetabix: whole wheat, malted barley extract, sugar salt, niacin, iron, thiamin (b1), riboflavin (b2), folic acid.

walker’s baked ham & mustard flavour crisps: potatoes, vegetable oil, baked ham and mustard flavour lactose (from milk), wheat flour, flavouring, flavour enhancer (monosodium glutamate), wheat maltodextrin, hydrolysed soya protein, barley malt flour, colour (paprika extract), mustard oil], salt. promotional tie-in: gordon ramsay

walker’s sensations pan-fried sausage & sage flavour crisps: potatoes, vegetable oil, pan-fried sausage and sage flavour [wheat maltodextrin, pork powder, sage, flavour enhancers (monosodium glutamate, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate), black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, parsley, lactose (made with animal rennet), milk proteins, flavouring, colour (paprika exrtract)], salt. promotional tie-in: gary lineker

walker’s sensations honey roasted ham flavour chips: potatoes, vegetable oil, honey roasted ham flavour [lactose, flavour enhancer (monosodium glutamate, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate), whey powder, ham, honey powder, flavouring, hydrolysed soya protein, cloves, colour (paprika extract)], salt.

mr. men & little miss beans, potato and mini hot dogs (patak foods ltd): water, potato(20%), cooked haricot beans(20%), hot dog sausages (15%) (pork (35%), water, pork fat, potato starch, pork rind, soya protein isolate, salt, spices, stabiliser: sodium di phosphate, smoke flavouring, dextrose, antioxidants: sodium ascorbate, sodium citrate, flavour enhancer: monosodium glutamate), concentrated tomato puree, sugar, modified maize starch, maize starch, salt, vegetable oil, natural flavouring.

dairylea lunchables pizza ham & cheese (kraft): pizza base: wheat flour, vegetable oil, yeast, sugar, salt, emulsifiers (e471, e472e), raising agents (e450, e500), preservative (e282), acidity regulator (lactic acid), stabiliser (e412), wheat malt flour, flour treatment agents (e300, e920). may contain traces of egg and soya protein. pizza sauce: tomato puree (70%), water, glucose syrup, onions, modified starch, garlic, salt, herbs, thickener (e415), citric acid, spice.
cheese food slices: cheese (80%), butter, emulsifying salts (e331, e452), milk proteins, whey powder, lactic acid, preservative (e200). formed ham: pork (80%), water, starch, acidity regulators (e326, e331, e262), salt, milk proteins, dextrose, sugar, flavour enhancer (e621), flavourings, antioxidant (e301), preservative (e250).
sabrina pasta shapes in tomato source (heinz): tomatoes (47%), pasta shapes (40%, made from wheat), water, sugar, glucose syrup, salt, modified cornflour, citric acid, spice, garlic salt, spice extract, herb extract, iron sulphate, maltodextrin, niacin, vitamin b12, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium iodide.

action man pasta shapes in tomato sauce (hp): cooked pasta shapes (50%) (water, durum wheat), tomato puree (21%), water, sugar, salt, modified maize starch, wheat flour, ascorbic acid, a composite mixture of vitamins and minerals, ground paprika, vegetable oil, onion powder, yeast extract, flavourings.
postman pat pasta shapes in tomato sauce (hp): cooked pasta shapes (50%) (water, durum wheat), tomato puree (21%), water, sugar, spirit vinegar, modified maize starch, rapeseed oil, salt, glucose syrup, spice extracts, herb extracts, ascorbic acid, a composite mixture of vitamins and minerals.
scooby-doo pasta shapes in tomato sauce with bbq flavour pork sausages (hp): water, cooked pasta shapes (28%) (water, durum wheat), bbq flavour sausages (16%) (pork (67%), water, rusk, potato starch, salt, seasoning, dextrose, lactose, flavourings, stabilisers e450, yeast, preservative e223), tomato puree (10%), sugar, spirit vinegar, modified maize starch, vegetable oil, salt, glucose syrup, ascorbic acid, paprika extract, wheat flour, a composite mix of vitamins and minerals, spice extracts, herb extracts, garlic extract.

tom and jerry pasta shapes in tomato sauce with mini sausages (hp): cooked pasta shapes (40%) (water, durum wheat), water, sausages (14%) (pork (65%), water, rusk, potato starch, isolated soya protein, spices, salt), tomato puree (11%), sugar, spirit vinegar, modified maize starch, rapeseed oil, salt, glucose syrup, ascorbic acid, paprika extract, wheat flour, a composite mix of vitamins and minerals, spice extracts, herb extracts, garlic extract.
fimbles paste shapes in tomato sauce (heinz): tomatoes (46%), pasta shapes (44%), water, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, salt, modified cornflour, citric acid, garlic salt, spice, herb extract, spice extract, iron sulphate, maltodextrin, niacin, vitamin b12, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium iodide.
clifford pasta shapes in tomato sauce (heinz): pasta shapes (46%) (water, durum wheat semolina), tomatoes (46%), water, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup, salt, modified cornflour, citric acid, garlic salt, spice, herb extract, spice extract, iron sulphate, maltodextrin, niacin, vitamin b12, riboflavin, thiamin, potassium iodide.
cheestrings (golden vale): medium fat hard cheese, cheese flavourings, colour (annatto).

cheestrings attack-a-snack chicken wrap (golden vale): wheat tortillas (40%): wheatflour, water, vegetable oil, glycerol, dextrose, raising agents (diphospate & sodium hydrogen carbonate), salt, acidity regulator (sodium diacetate), preservatives (calcium propionate, potassium sorbate). chicken (28%): chicken breast (80%), water, potato starch, acidity regulator (potassium lactate), salt, sugar, stabilisers (carrageenan, sodium triphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, sodium diphosphate), preservative (sodium nitrate). cheestrings (21%): cheddar cheese, natural cheese flavouring, colour (annatto). tomato ketchup: tomatoes (126g per 100g ketchup), spirit vinegar, glucose syrup, sugar, salt, spice and herb extracts, spice, garlic powder.
scooby-doo squeezy snacks (primula): sqeezy cheese (45%): cheese (60%), reconstituted whey/skimmed milk powder, emulsifying salts (polyphosphate, sodium phosphate), preservative (nisin). wholemeal biscuits (55%): wholemeal flour (38%), flour, sugar, palm oil, syrup, salt, raising agent (sodium hydrogen sulphate).
scooby doo snackeroos (bonbon buddies): wheat flour, vegetable margarine (with colours e100, e160b), sugar, milk chocolate chips (10%)(with emulsifier-soya lecithin), rolled oats, partially inverted sucrose syrup, skimmed milk powder, raising agents (ammonium hydrogen carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate), flavourings, salt, milk chocolate contains: cocoa solids 20% minimum, milk solids 20% minimum.

shrek ribena light blackcurrant juice drink (glaxosmithkline): water, blackcurrant juice from concentrate (6%), sucrose, citric acid, vitamin c, sweetners (aspartame, acesulfame k), flavouring, colour (anthocyanins).
fruitin squeezie apple crushed fruit snack (del monte): fruit and fruit juices from concentrate over 99% (apple puree 91%, concentrated apple juice 8%, concentrated lemon juice), natural apple flavouring, vitamin c (as ascorbic acid).
cooked dinosaur turkey roll (bernard matthews): turkey (46%), chicken, water, wheat starch, turkey skin, salt, stabilisers (e451, e450, e452, e407, e464), potato starch, dextrose, lactose, acidity regulator (e575), modified maize starch, flavouring, spice and herb extracts, sugar, milk protein, antioxidant (e301), preservative (e250), vegetable oil.
all melodies and chords are samples of blowing over the top of a pepsi max with lime bottle or dani’s voice and played by phil parnell, dave o’higgins, pete wraight, nick ramm and matthew herbert live percussion is made from all the objects listed above with the boy band ‘blue’ cake as principle snare (played by leo taylor)
home 
art and food  
film and food
literature and food
photography and food 
The Truncated Life Of A Modern Industrialised Chicken – 7:41
These Branded Waters – 5:28
Pigs In Shit – 0:19
 An Empire Of Coffee – 7:03
Celebrity – 4:05
Sugar – 5:50
An Apple A Day… – 1:32
White Bread, Brown Bread – 4:08
Fatter, Slimmer, Faster, Slower – 3:58
The Final Meal Of Stacey Lawton – 5:33
The Nine Seeds Of Navdanya – 4:15
Waste Land – 6:03
Nigella, George, Tony And Me – 3:47
Sonic Catering Band 
 Goodbye Swingtime-amazon.de
 Le Defy-amazon.fr
 Plat du Jour-amazon.co.uk