"Eat Your Heart Out" is a sculptural installation combining 18th-century French opulence with contemporary overconsumption. Inspired by Marie Antoinette's lavish banquets and modern-day excess, it confronts viewers with a surreal composition of decadence. Drawing from Sofia Coppola's film and culinary sources like John Gies and Selma Schwartz, the artwork merges historical aesthetics with the bizarre, inspired by Salvador Dalí's "Les Diners de Gala." Created in collaboration with professional baker Alexandra Laffon Rizou, the installation features lightweight spackle sculptures, ethically sourced animal skulls, ornamental glass and silverware and recycled materials.
Artist Statement
This artwork tries to give viewers the feel of the extravagant banquets of Marie Antoinette’s court while at the same time confronting them with the bleak reality of today's excess. Sofia Coppola’s iconic film “Marie Antoinette” and the visual language used to show the decadent lifestyle of French nobility served as inspiration for part of the design aspect of my project. The masterful prop and set design of the film created such breathtaking visuals, giving the audience a peek into the bygone era of indulgence.
