Sweetness and Discomfort is a participatory sculpture where I use candy to explore my sensory issues and how people interact with uncomfortable textures in food. Viewers are invited to choose whether or not to eat the candy, turning the work into a physical and personal experience that makes people think about how we react to what we put into our bodies.
I made the candy using sugar, corn syrup, and red food coloring—common but unhealthy ingredients that many of us consume without thinking twice. I presented the bright red candy on simple white plates and a white tablecloth so the focus would stay on the candy itself and the act of eating.
I also wanted this piece to be a shared experience. By encouraging people to eat the candy together, I explore how food can bring people together even when it’s uncomfortable, and how easily we participate in habits without fully questioning them.
