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Chocolate Soldier Wars

Stephen J Shanabrook's Confectionery 'Battle of Losers and Lovers'

— September 22, 2009 — Art & Design
Stephen J Shanabrook’s ‘Battle of Losers and Lovers’ is made of chocolate-covered plastic toy soldiers fighting an unknown enemy on stacked office tables. The chocolate soldiers recall the idea that candy can be a way to satisfy a soldier’s simple desire to feel closer to home. 

In this installation, Shanabrook covers common plastic toy soldiers in actual dark chocolate, creating sweet chocolate soldiers. The chocolate aroma floods the gallery and is decidedly at odds with the display of carnage and war. The display of chocolate soldiers serves as an exploration of identity, death, desire, fear and violence. If only all wars were fought with chocolate.

Check out a handful of images from Stephen J. Shanabrook's 'Battle of Losers and Lovers' series above, courtesy of Eat Me Daily, and check out their coverage for more photos.
Trend Themes
1. Chocolate Toy Soldiers - There is a trend of creating unique art installations using chocolate or edible items, like covering toy soldiers in chocolate.
2. Food Art - There is a trend of creating art pieces using food or edible items to create unique experiences and stimuli for the audience.
3. Exploration of Identity Through Art - There is a trend of using art as a medium to explore identity, including themes of violence and war, through unexpected and unconventional methods.
Industry Implications
1. Art - The art industry has an opportunity to embrace unique and unconventional methods of artistic expression, like using food and edible items to create immersive installations.
2. Food and Beverage - The food industry has an opportunity to create innovative food products and experiences by incorporating artistic elements such as sculpting and design.
3. Toy and Collectibles - The toy industry has an opportunity to expand their products by collaborating with artists and designers to create unique and collectible items, such as chocolate-covered toy soldiers.
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