McMythos
Something I never noticed as a kid, and which I can't help noticing now, is that McDonaldland characters are terrifying. Ronald is primo nightmare fuel in all his incarnations. The McNugget Buddies pose some profoundly disturbing (or very zen, depending on your outlook) existential questions. Grimace could easily moonlight as a cosmic horror. And Bernice is a ravenous and baffling entity resembling a cross between a rat and Mr. Snuffleupagus turned inside out.
Interestingly, the "villains" of McDonaldland seem more human and relatable than the "heroes." I can't begin to imagine what bizarre motivations compel Ronald, or what Grimace's or Birdie's or Mayor McCheese's dreams and aspirations could possibly be. They're like some strange seraphim or demons, their motives inscrutable to mortals. But Hamburglar just wants hamburgers. Captain Crook wants Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. And they're willing to steal to get them. That may not be admirable, but it is relatable! It also begs the question: why do these characters have to steal? Is there really a shortage of hamburgers and fish sandwiches in McDonaldland? Or is the ruling class just selfishly hoarding everything? Are Hamburglar and Captain Crook kleptomaniacs? Or are they just starving? Meanwhile, I get the distinct impression that Ronald and the other Elder Beings in the pantheon are hungry for more than just food.
So here's a Supersized helping of nightmare fuel. The color sketch was created in notebook, and the black and white draws were created in the Miiverse sketch utiliity, both on the Wii U. Happy Halloween all! :D
I suppose the art is made by you? Well done for this horrific outcome!
I am going to ask you a provocative question: If there was no horror and creepiness in the world: what about the artist who picks it up and makes a piece of art out of what he experiences throughout life? Or even makes some income from it.
Now, that is a line I congratulate you for. HaHa! I prefer the zen outlook.
To give free rein to the imagination and to use the symbolism of dark matter is always something rich from which we can draw. It shows us that in moments of deep despair, doubt and rage everyone finds their own shadow within them. What can be found on paper or in thoughts is inevitably an expression of what we find in the world also lives within us.
In so far as we deny this or merely project it onto others, we forget that the dark side within us is merely a kind of disturbance that disturbs us because we have not yet taken a close look at it and reintegrated it in such a way that it finds acceptance.
For the rest: I made the experience that my son does not want to go to McDonalds (or other fast food restaurants) as I never did that other than two or three exceptions which date back years. He is a teenager now and has learned what good food is. If he one day decides that he will eat there nevertheless that will be his cup of tea.
Many thanks erh.germany! :D I appreciate your kind remarks on my drawings, and your comments gave me a lot to think about! To answer your question: I think a world without horror and creepiness would be a sad, drab world with mostly beige, bland art, if it had any art at all. Everything we perceive relies on contrast and opposition and relativity.
This especially fascinates me . I think fear is a reflexive emotion, triggered by the perception of danger or risk, while horror is fear but with an added element of personal judgement. When somebody is afraid of something, they're worried it might harm them. But when they're horrified, the thing in question doesn't just frighten them. It also offends them.
When I was a kid I saw nothing horrific whatsoever in these McDonald's mascots. Now I consider them nightmare fuel. Exact same characters, noticeably different perception. Clearly this says as much about me as it does about the mascots. :) It's something I intend to give some further thought to.
Finally: I commend you for teaching your son to eat healthy! I'm sure those principles will serve him well all his life! Apart from taking us to eat at restaurants once in a while, my parents made sure my sibilings and I had a healthy diet. When I got old enough to pay for my own meals, I basically lived on junk food for a few years. Then I reverted back to more healthy eating habits . :) For all I've ranted here about McDonalds, I don't think the occasional visit does anyone much harm. I just feel bad for kids whose parents only serve them fast food. McDonald's knows their product is unhealthy and yet they spend billions marketing it directly to children. In his way, Ronald McDonald has a lot in common with Joe Camel.
Your essay is a delight: ruminations on food iconography :))
I don't think I've eaten in McDonald's five times in my very long life. Mark it up to great poverty in childhood--an advantage there is never eating fast food. And then, later on, to disinterest. Anyway, I don't know these characters, but you made them delectably ghoulish. Perfect Halloween fare.
Many thanks @agmoore! :D You make an excellent point. I wish I had only eaten at McDonald's five times! My siblings and I used to beg our parents to take us there because of the playgrounds and the Happy Meal toys. It all seemed kind of magical then, but looking back now those ads feel creepy. Many people find clowns terrifying. Ronald is one who serves a massive corporation selling processed meat and high fructose corn syrup to children. The horror pretty much writes itself! Happy Halloween! :)
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