Vanitas

While reading and researching about one of my favorite Still Life painting styles, the 17th century Vanitas, I came across a book and artwork series that really spoke to me. The book is called "The Nature of College", and is a kind of philosophical and social exploration into the life of a modern day student. What really interested me, though, was the artist known as TONKY, who was commissioned for the book cover. Naturally, the prop stylist enthusiast in me would have almost peed my pants to get to do a project like this, with all the symbolism, humor, and historical references involved. I love the final product they created, the juxtapositions, and the modernized version of traditional symbols we see. I imagine the cup of ramen noodles and rice krispy treats to represent gluttony; the six-pack of Budweiser beer and handle of Smirnoff vodka as sloth or some other inherent vice; a tube of lipstick as the vanity of youth itself; and a plastic skull--perhaps a nod to the plastic world we live in: that even a natural, decaying, artifact representing death could possibly live forever (as most plastics tend to do). I might have to go pick up the book, or just do a project like this myself, now, but in the meantime my mind wanders and wonders about "the meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of all earthly goods and pursuits."