Artist Statement

Following on from Emma's Big Mac brooches, these chicken nugget earrings with NFC tags represent a fascinating intersection of fashion, technology, and our engagement with objects. While the earrings are a testament to the creative possibilities of wearable technology, they also prompt critical reflection on the commodification of philosophical discourse and the nature of consumer engagement with intellectual content. Ultimately, this novelty item serves as a lens to examine broader cultural and ethical issues, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the fusion of commerce, technology, and fashion.

As a mark of contemporary culture in 2024, these chicken nuggets earrings encapsulate the zeitgeist of a society increasingly characterized by its blend of humor, technology, and consumerism. The integration of NFC technology allows wearers to engage with NugBot, an AI chicken nugget chatbot offering emotional support, philosophical advice and messages of hope.

When touched with a mobile device, the NFC tag connects the viewer to this digital oracle, fostering a unique form of interaction that merges the physical with the digital.

For future generations looking back, these earrings may serve as emblematic artifacts of our times, reflecting how everyday objects were imbued with technological capabilities and cultural significance. In the context of deep time, such items offer insights into the values, creativity, and technological advancements of our era, providing a tangible link to the complex interplay of factors that defined early 21st-century life. They represent not only a novelty in wearable technology but also a reflection of how society sought emotional support and philosophical contemplation through innovative means, underscoring the evolving relationship between humans, technology, and existential inquiry.

"Fries with That" necklace completes the set and similarly uses fast food to observe contemporary culture through jewellery. Both pieces illustrate how consumer items can be transformed into cultural statements 🍟🐣☮️