The heavy metals of dark chocolate featured in "Bittersweet Composition".

“Bittersweet Composition” is the new addition to Carlo Marcucci’s “Chemical Still Life” series since “Fragola Amara”in 2007. In this latest work, the artists tackles the subject of lead and cadmium contamination in dark chocolate. For this work, the artist chose a selection of chocolate bars purchased at local grocery stores (Trader Joe's 85% Dark Chocolate Lover's bar, Theo Organic 70% Pure Dark Cocoa bar, Lindt Excellence 85% Dark Chocolate, Chocolove 88% Extreme Dark Chocolate sample, and Alter Eco Organic 85% Dark Chocolate Classic Blackout bar) and one cocoa powder (Starbucks Hot Cocoa Classic).

According to recent chemical analysis, performed by Consumer Report utilizing the California Proposition 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADL), two heavy metals where commonly found in almost all chocolate samples (regardless if they were organic or non-organic). For example some samples like Perugina 85% Premium Dark Chocolate, were found tp be 539% over MADL limits for lead, and samples for Pascha Organic 85% Very Dark Dark Chocolate were 253% over the limits for cadmium.

As per the chocolate selection used in this artwork, the Trader Joe's brand had 127% over MADL levels for lead and 229% above the MADL levels for cadmium. Theo Organic brand had 120% above the MADL levels for lead and 142% for cadmium. The Lindt sample had 166% above MADL levels for lead and 80% for cadmium. Chocolove sample (depicted here without its wrapper) had 240% levels for lead and 83% for cadmium. The Alter Eco sample found 204% levels for cadmium and the Starbucks powder sample had 159% MADL readings for lead.

Continuous long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals can lead to a variety of health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children because the metals can cause developmental and brain problems. Frequent exposure to lead in adults can lead to nervous system issues, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive harm.

Researchers believe that cacao plants tend to naturally absorb cadmium stored in the surrounding soil, with the metal accumulating in the beans as the tree grows older (similar to how heavy metals contaminate some other foods).

Lead contamination seems to happen after the beans are harvested, where the metal is typically found on the outer shell of the cocoa bean, and not in the bean itself. Researchers found lead levels to be low soon after the beans were picked and removed from pods, but levels increased as the beans dried in the sun for days - maybe due to exposure to lead-filled dust and dirt in the environment.

"Contemplating Boundaries" exhibition has ended, but is now viewable online.

The art exhibition "Contemplating Boundaries" has ended, but a video is now viewable online.

"Contemplating Boundaries" was held at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles (July 27 to August 18, 2023) and featured the works of 28 artists from across Southern California. Jurors TeaYoun Kim-Kassor and Mika Cho reviewed over 400 images from over 100 artists in a blind jurying process. The selection resulted in 40 works that explore what boundaries can represent in many cultures - often as social constructs serving to regulate peoples’ actions, norms, taboos, and physical spaces. These boundaries may be codified laws, common societal traditions, or even self-imposed rules.


“Contemplating Boundaries" exhibit at the Korean Cultural Center.

LAUNCH LA, in partnership with The Korean Cultural Center, present “Contemplating Boundaries" a group exhibit about barriers, labels and limits -whatever their origin or purpose.

The show will feature the works of artists Eric Almanza, Nurit Avesar, Eun Kyoung Beak, Michele Benzamin-Miki, Lorraine Bubar, Debra Disman, Michelle Emami, Danielle Eubank, Deborah Lynn Irmas, Nancy Ivanhoe, Antonio Kim, Leah Knecht, John Koller, Julie Lipa, Cindy Rinne, Joo Kyoung Park-Kwon, Carlo Marcucci, Dan Monteavaro, Julia Wolinsky, Keun S. Lee, Kyong Boon Oh, Viktoria Romanova, Lyle Everett Rushing, Kerrie Smith, Karin Skiba, Elizabeth Tinglof, Nancy Kay Turner and Jim Zver.

The Korean Cultural Center

5505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90036

Jul 27 - Aug 18, 2023

Reception Date: Jul 27, 2023, 6:30PM -9PM

"Wheatfields LXVI" appears on CBS TV series "Why Women Kil

Carlo Marcucci's 2007 wall-mounted sculpture Wheatfields LXVI makes a cameo appearance in the 2019 CBS All Access TV series "Why Women Kill" (Season 1, Episode 1).

Wheatfields LXVI is made of two sections measuring 20"x20"x5" and 10"x10"x5"

The artwork was placed through the Los Angeles based art consultancy Art Dimensions.

"Wheatfields L" appears on HBO series Westworld

Carlo Marcucci's 2005 wall-mounted sculpture "Wheatfields L" makes a cameo appearance in the HBO series "Westworld" (precisely 14:30 minutes into Season 4, Episode 1).

“Wheatfields L” measures 18” x 18” and is made of stained udon noodles, squid ink spaghetti, mugwort soba and porcini mushroom spaghetti glued on wood.

The artwork was placed through the Los Angeles based art consultancy Art Dimensions.

Sculpture “Wheatfields L” as it appears in in an episode of “Westworld”.




Lora Schlesinger Gallery's last exhibition on Saturday, December 14, 2019.

After 45 years in the Los Angeles art business, the Lora Schlesinger Gallery will close its doors on December 31, 2019.

The gallery will hosts the Winter Group Show and its last exhibition on Saturday, December 14th from 4-6 pm, during Bergamot's Annual Winter Open House. The show will be a salon-style group exhibition featuring many of the artists the gallery represented throughout the years.

LORA SCHLESINGER GALLERY

2525Michigan Avenue #B5b Santa Monica, CA

(310) 828-1133

http://www.loraschlesinger.com