Black Plastic Sandwich 2

Description

In Black Plastic Sandwich 2, Rose Marinelli transforms the familiar form of a sandwich into a disturbing reflection on the hidden dangers of modern building materials. Two triangular forms sit stacked on a vivid green plate, their pale, granular layers separated by thin, dark bands. Against a reddish-brown background, the composition draws attention to the repeated layers and textures that give the objects their distinctive, almost synthetic appearance.

The sandwich-like forms are a deliberate reference to composite cladding panels used in contemporary construction. Some of these panels contain combustible materials that can contribute to the rapid spread of fire, turning an ordinary building material into a serious public safety concern. The devastating Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017 brought this danger into international focus, with the building’s external cladding system playing a significant role in the fire’s spread.

By using the image of food, Rose creates an unexpected connection between an everyday object and a material that can have life-threatening consequences. The layered sandwich becomes a visual metaphor for the construction of cladding panels: familiar in form, manufactured for practical purposes, yet potentially concealing dangers beneath the surface.

The work raises questions about building safety, material selection and the responsibilities involved in construction. Decisions about cost, efficiency and appearance can have consequences that extend far beyond the finished structure, affecting the lives of the people who call these buildings home.

With its simple composition and unsettling underlying meaning, Black Plastic Sandwich 2 asks viewers to look beyond appearances. What seems harmless at first glance becomes a reminder that the materials surrounding us are not always as safe as they appear, and that the consequences of overlooking hidden risks can be devastating.