A Story of Grapesticides - TDSFV #3
The Dark Side of Fruits and Vegetables is my first conceptual photography project, which aims to provoke the viewer into pondering the topic of food toxicity and the role of the big agrochemical industry in modern agriculture.
Grapes are listed in EWG's dirty dozen for 2017, which means that they are some of the most heavily treated fruits. In the long list of pesticides, there are chemicals that are harmful to bees and birds (Imidacloprid), toxins that can damage the reproductive system (Myclobutanil), and possible carcinogens (Boscalid, Tebuconazole).
If you are interested in reading more about each pesticide, you can use HHS’s website, which has a lot of interesting information.
Grapes are among the fruits that I consume year-round in the form of wine, and thus I often wonder what happens to the pesticides during the process of fermentation. Does fermentation decrease the nasty stuff, or does it perhaps increase it by creating by-products of the pesticides? What do you think?
Thank you for reading and remember to wash your fruits and veggies thoroughly.
Dan
If you are interested in reading the previous parts:
Part #1 - Strawberries
Part #2 - Apples
Reference list:
http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=GR
https://sis.nlm.nih.gov/
https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty_dozen_list.php#.WgwxXmmGOM8
Very intriguing project. What inspired you - beside the obvious environmental and staying alive stuff? I love the gorgeous, provocative dirtiness of the photos.
Thanks a ton! :) That's a good question. These dirty fruits and veggies are the result of mainly two things – my love for conceptual photography and my idealistic nature. There's nothing more challenging and rewarding than turning an idea into a photo, and this project (as insignificant as it may seem at the moment) is my attempt at provoking critical thinking.
Right on! I understand the satisfaction part. Can't wait to see how your project evolves.
Hmm this post raises a lot of questions, there are answers for sure