Charlie Grosso

NEW YORK , NEW YORK

Charlie Grosso

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24" x 22", Archival Pigment Print ,
Requires Framing Edition of 10

ABOUT

Wok the Dog began as an exploration of childhood fears. Clean, brightly lit supermarkets didn’t exist in Taipei in the early 80’s. The old fashioned markets wer...[more]e dark, full of pungent smells; floors were slick with blood and water. The sounds of caged and dying animals filled the space. At three feet tall, I was afraid of getting lost in the crowd, taken by the butcher, caged, and sold. <br /> <br /> At 18, I returned to Taiwan and to the markets, wanting to see what had made me so afraid. I have photographed the markets in various parts of the world for fourteen years now. <br /> <br /> What was once fear has turned into an examination of the commerce of life: the death of the animal sustains our lives and the livelihood of the vendors. I realize how purchasing packaged meats, “pink in plastic” at supermarkets, makes me forget about where food comes from. It creates a sense of detachment and dulls the awareness of what dinner is. The sterility of the 24-hour superstore renders us blind to impact we make on the natural equilibrium with our food purchases. Our detachment makes the food less special, and life less precious. <br /> <br /> Through the vernacular of food, markets and animals, we can discuss the larger issue. Wok the Dog is about the cost of living. <br /> <br /> Wok the Dog is a series in progress, a comprehensive photo documentary of food markets around the world.

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