“Burger Grease Art” is a video promotion for Arby’s line of roasted hamburgers, in which artist Phil Hansen “paints” using the grease from hamburgers. At the beginning of the video, Hansen is shown driving a car. He addresses the camera, saying, “55% of burger lovers say hamburgers are just too greasy.” Hansen then orders “some burgers” at from drive-thru of an unidentified fast food chain, arrives at an art studio and proceeds to smear burger grease on a large canvas. The painting is shown in time-lapse footage with the image gradually emerging as a monochromatic replica of the Mona Lisa, painted entirely with grease. At the end of the video, Hansen stands in front of the canvas and is pelted with burgers.”Burger Grease Art” was not Hansen’s first high-profile brush with pop culture, nor was it his first use of unconventional materials in art. The art school dropout is known for using food, found objects and refuse for his works and was the official artist of the 51st Grammy Awards. His contribution to the awards show, a bright colored image showing musicians live on stage, also included a time-lapse “making of” video.
