Frankenfish

Artist Statement: The inspiration for my art piece was derived from the controversial “Frankenfish.” As an Alaskan, “Frankenfish” definitely hit a place close to home. “Frankenfish,” are genetically altered salmon, modified to grow larger than Alaskan salmon. I wanted to create an art piece that created awareness, and showed people what could possibly be served on their plates. I also wanted to emphasize the difference between Alaskan salmon and the unnatural “Frankenfish” salmon.
By exaggerating the look of the “Frankenfish” I was able to depict a drastic difference between “Frankenfish” and the Alaskan salmon. The vials, help convey the idea of the creation of “Frankenfish” through a laboratory. “Frankenfish” like “Frankenstein” are unnatural; this led me to express “Frankenfish” by resembling it to a “Frankenstein” look. By achieving “Frankenfish” through the “Frankenstein” appearance, I was able to convey the unnaturalness of the laboratory made fish. Purposely, I created the “Frankenfish” on a larger platter than the Alaskan salmon, showing they are genetically made bigger. The platters themselves represent the possibility of “Frankenfish” unknowingly being served and sold to the public. With the use of two plastic platters, acrylic paint, and spray paint, I portrayed Alaskan salmon vs. the laboratory made “Frankenfish.”