Edible Art: Padded Cell

Padded cell days. We’ve all had them. You know those days when you get so frustrated/upset/crazy that you want to pull your hair out or bang your head against a wall? Now imagine that instead of a traditional padded cell, you find yourself resting inside a room entirely covered by cotton candy. Feel the soft, pink fluff against your skin. Smell the sweet, intoxicating smell of spun sugar. Ahhh…peace. Actually, in reality, a cotton candy cell isn’t quite as wonderful as it might sound. All those creepy, horror movie connotations are still there, but with a bit of fun thrown in. The cell, which was created by artist Jennifer Rubell for the Performa Arts' Red Party, is a freestanding structure that contains one door and one window. The door to the cell was opened at 9pm, but, prior to the big reveal, partygoers could peak through the window, viewing the interior. According to Rubell, the cell “acts as an escape” from the party, which is also “confining, threatening, and claustrophobic,” in its own way. “It is an object that addresses the dark side of pleasure, the price of pleasure, the possibility that pleasure is its own punishment.” ~Erin