Rotting Food Photographs

PHOTO SERIES: Klaus Pichler One Third
By Toni Palumbo.

For his latest photography series, editorial portrait photographer Klaus Pichler chose the title “One third” in reference to the reportedly 1.3 billion tons, i.e. a third of the world’s food supply, that is wasted annually according to a 2011 United Nations study. Meanwhile, research indicates that 925 million people worldwide live with the threat of starvation. Klaus captured selected pieces of food in various stages of decay to make a literal and figurate statement on the topic of world hunger. We’re only showing eight of the total fifty-seven images.

Along with the rotting food photos, Klaus includes the foods’ origins, time of harvest, mode of transportation, distance traveled and carbon footprint. The food itself appears in flower-like arrangements and display a vaguely surrealist aesthetic. Using a Pentax 645D camera, Klaus’ photos are both colorful and grotesque, playfully revising traditional still-life composition. To better capture the detail and color variation of decomposition,  a simple black background and direct lighting were used. Through his images, Klaus hopes to raise public awareness of the vast amount of food wasted around the world. Ultimately his series is a personal commentary on the connection between “the wastage of food and globalized food production.”
You can see more images from Klaus Pichler at http://www.kpic.at/

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series

© Klaus Pichler, from One Third series