Cristina Burns Visual Artist and Social Advocate

A NEW PLANET

"A New Planet" blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination, exploring the seductive yet dangerous allure of sugar through abstract and surreal representations. In this series, Burns brings to life vibrant, sugar-coated worlds that, while visually captivating, carry a deeper commentary on the consequences of indulgence and the looming threats of addiction.

The series presents otherworldly landscapes, where vibrant, enticing colors dominate, creating universes that seem both alluring and treacherous. These digital compositions are crafted from photographs of sweets and candies, meticulously transformed into textured, immersive environments. Each image is named after confections, emphasizing the connection between these fantastical worlds and the confectionery industry that fuels our cravings. However, beneath their surface beauty, these worlds are static and twisted, symbolizing the stagnation and distortion that come with excessive indulgence.

"A New Planet" is not just a visual journey but also a conceptual exploration, where Burns uses abstract language to depict the microscopic. She creates a stark contrast between the micro (molecules) and the macro (planets), imagining a peculiar, science fiction-inspired planetary system where sugar and its negative consequences are the central themes. These abstract representations of molecules serve as a metaphor for the unseen, yet significant, impact of sugar on our health and well-being.

The series culminates in "Diabetes Mellitus," a piece that embodies the disease itself. This final work serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and the ever-present threat of illness associated with unhealthy eating habits, no matter how tempting the food might be. The juxtaposition of alluring colors and the grim reality of disease underscores the deceptive nature of sugar—beautiful and sweet on the outside, yet potentially harmful within.

Through "A New Planet," Burns challenges the viewer to look beyond the surface allure of these candy-colored landscapes and to reflect on the broader implications of our dietary choices. This series, like much of Burns’ work, uses the visual appeal of sugar to draw the viewer in, only to reveal the underlying dangers that such indulgence can bring. It is a powerful commentary on the fine line between pleasure and poison, and the future that awaits if we continue down the path of unchecked consumption.