Kent Christensen Renders Idolized Ice Cream Paintings
Sophia Pelka — March 19, 2012 — Art & Design
References: kentchristensen & english.mashkulture.net
Kent Christensen renders highly dynamic paintings glorifying sugary indulgence and American addiction to dessert. His paintings incorporate traditional and classical compositional styles, calling on such inspirations as the Group of Seven and renaissance works. The juxtaposition of frozen treats and the obvious recall of classic religious iconography is humorous and engaging.
Kent Christensen was raised as a Mormon, unable to partake in vices such as drinking or smoking. As a result, the artist became to an alternative vice -- sugar. The artist goes so far as to refer to sugar as ‘Mormon Heroin.’ Christensen recontextualizes his personal associations with sweets and applies the resulting psychological effects to his paintings. The results are intimate and satirical. The complex, yet easily relatable subject of Christensen’s work is memorable.
Kent Christensen was raised as a Mormon, unable to partake in vices such as drinking or smoking. As a result, the artist became to an alternative vice -- sugar. The artist goes so far as to refer to sugar as ‘Mormon Heroin.’ Christensen recontextualizes his personal associations with sweets and applies the resulting psychological effects to his paintings. The results are intimate and satirical. The complex, yet easily relatable subject of Christensen’s work is memorable.
Trend Themes
1. Glorifying Indulgences - The trend of glorifying indulgent behaviors, such as sugar consumption, in art and pop culture presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the food industry, specifically in the development of guilt-free alternatives.
2. Humorous Juxtaposition - The trend of using humorous juxtaposition, like combining frozen treats with religious iconography, creates disruption opportunities in marketing and advertising, allowing brands to engage consumers by subverting expectations.
3. Personalized Satire - The trend of artists recontextualizing personal experiences and associations with vices, like how Kent Christensen relates sugar to his Mormon upbringing, opens up opportunities for disruptive storytelling and content creation in various industries, such as entertainment and fashion.
Industry Implications
1. Food and Beverage - The food and beverage industry can tap into the trend of glorifying indulgences by developing healthier, guilt-free alternatives to traditional sugary treats.
2. Marketing and Advertising - The marketing and advertising industry can leverage the trend of using humorous juxtaposition to disrupt traditional advertising campaigns and create engaging content that subverts expectations.
3. Entertainment and Fashion - The entertainment and fashion industries can explore the trend of recontextualizing personal experiences and associations to create disruptive storytelling and content that resonates with consumers on a deeper level.
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