conceived by quatre caps, ‘not longer life’ is a series that reflects on the use of plastic through a reinterpretation of the some of the most famous still life paintings. the project comes in response to the startling volume of plastic that is produced every year, and the staggering length of time it will take these materials to biodegrade. with much of this consumption resulting from food packaging, the work aims to highlight the unnecessary and absurd amount of plastic that is used to wrap our fruit and vegetables.

'not longer life' uses plastic to reinterpret classic still life paintings designboom

still life painting by sanchez cotan reinterpreted

all images courtesy of quatre caps

 

 

‘not longer life’ reinterprets and reproduces paintings from classic masters such as monet or caravaggio, and contextualizes them into current situations, as if they were contemporary artists. the project by quatre caps intends to redefine the still life as a ‘zombie’ or ‘wrapped’ life, by taking products directly from the supermarket to the photo set. 

'not longer life' uses plastic to reinterpret classic still life paintings designboom
still life painting by egidio melendez reinterpreted

 

 

the collection of images highlights the absurdity in our food packaging. from the mesh that unnecessarily covers the hard skin of a melon, to the orange segments which are contained in a plastic tub, despite already having a natural protective peel to begin with. in essence, this series intends to reflect on the direction that consumer society is taking and the unconscious attitude we have towards natural resources in pursuit of utmost comfort.

'not longer life' uses plastic to reinterpret classic still life paintings designboom
still life painting by monet reinterpreted

'not longer life' uses plastic to reinterpret classic still life paintings designboom
still life painting by abraham van beyeren reinterpreted

'not longer life' uses plastic to reinterpret classic still life paintings designboom

still life painting by quatre caps reinterpreted

'not longer life' uses plastic to reinterpret classic still life paintings designboom
still life painting by caravaggio reinterpreted

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘not longer life’

by: quatre caps

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom