PeepsShow: Marshmallow PEEPS® Sculptures and Art by Artist David Ottogalli

INTRODUCTION

In the United States 2008 is a Presidential election year. Just Born®, the makers of PEEPS®, contacted me in June 2008 with ideas for an election project. They wanted PEEPS® to be involved in the election and wanted to encourage people to get out and vote. They commissioned me to create a display using PEEPS® to promote the election and voting. I eagerly accepted the challenge!

Following is the Just Born® press release announcing the event.

“REAL PEEPS® VOTE”
Sculpture Unveiled by Artist David Ottogalli

Bethlehem, PA and Washington, D.C., October 1, 2008 -- David Ottogalli, Washington D.C.- based artist and web master of www.peepsshow.com, has created a tribute to the election process, “REAL PEEPS® VOTE”. This artwork provides a perfect mix of patriotism and humor, as PEEPS® of all shapes and seasons stand in line to vote, because “REAL PEEPS® VOTE!”

Ottogalli’s sculpture was created with more than 3,000 PEEPS® Chicks, Bunnies, Hearts, Stars, Cats, Ghosts, Cutouts, Snowmen, Trees, the New PEEPS® Chocolate Mousse Flavored Bears and Bunnies, and TEENEE BEANEE® Jelly Beans. The project took eight weeks to complete. The finished piece is 9’(W) x 4’(D) x 5’(H).

Ottogalli commented, “This project is exciting because PEEPS® have a great sense of humor and patriotism like their fans! All will take notice when they see the diverse PEEPS® population at the polls and communicating the importance of getting out to vote.”

Just Born, Inc. is a privately owned company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Bethlehem, PA. In addition to PEEPS® Brand Marshmallow Candies, the company makes MIKE AND IKE® Brand Chewy Fruit Flavored Candies, HOT TAMALES® Brand Chewy Cinnamon Flavored Candies, TEENEE BEANEE® Jelly Beans, and PEANUT CHEWS® Brand Candies. The company employs over 525 associates and markets its candy in over 45 countries. All Just Born Candies are made in the USA.

Visit www.peepsshow.com for more information. Additional images are available upon request.

Ellie Deardorff, 609.279.0977, edeardorff@justborn.com
Milena DeLuca, 609.921.1695, mdeluca@justborn.com

The big PEEP shows his patriotism by voting!

PEEPS® stars and stripes.

PEEPS® wind up the trail to vote.

Flag waving patriotic PEEPS®.

PEEPS® at the voting booth.

The total number of PEEPS® used in this project: 2682
Blue Chicks (flag background)	832
Red Hearts (flag background)	920
White Hearts (flag background)	338
Yellow Chicks (Giant PEEP)	1043
Peppermint Stars (trim)	63
Cocoa Cats	3
Ghosts	3
Pumkins	8
Cookie Cutouts	3
Snowmen	3
Christmas Trees	51
Chicks (various)	27
Bunnies (various)	15
Bunnies, Chocolate Mousse	1
Bears, Chocolate Mousse	2
TEENEE BEANEE® Jelly Beans, Watermelon	20 lbs.
TEENEE BEANEE® Jelly Beans, Lime	10 lbs.
TEENEE BEANEE® Jelly Beans, Banana Cream Pie	10 lbs.

PROJECT CONSTRUCTION

Just Born® contacted me in June 2008 with ideas for an election project. They wanted PEEPS® to be involved in the election and wanted to encourage people to get out and vote.

Ideas from Just Born® included:
- A large 3 dimensional sculptural artwork on a base.
- PEEPS® for all seasons lined up going to vote for President.
- Humorous & creative.
- Worth talking about!

After our initial discussions I began to design the project. I came up with mulitple sketches of ideas of PEEPS® voting. They reviewed and refined the ideas I came up with. Another round of discussions and sketches ensued and a final drawing was approved.

Once this step was completed I needed to estimate to number of PEEPS® needed. I did some rough measurements of the sizes of the objects I would create and then came up with some numbers. I submitted these to Just Born and they shipped out boxes and boxes and boxes of PEEPS®!

Now construction of the project could begin. I started with flag backdrop. I used matted frames and glued the PEEPS® to them in a stars and stripes pattern. Next I created the "Big PEEP". I created a form in the shape of a PEEP out of foamboard and screening. It was covered with plaster then painted yellow. The form was then covered in yellow PEEPS® chicks; a giant PEEP made of PEEPS®!

The base of the project was built of wood, foamboard and screening. I created a hill where a voting booth would be located and a pathway leading to it where the individual PEEPS® would line up to vote. The base and hills were covered on cloth and painted green. The pathway was paved with TEENEE BEANEE® Jelly Beans. I created the voting booth and voting signs from foamboard.

Now that all of the individual components of the project were complete I could bring it all together. The big PEEP and voting booth were placed on the base. PEEPS® were added along the path and in the voting booth. The trees were added to the hillside and green jelly beans were filled in as landscape.

The project was now complete. Just Born® was very pleased with the final project ... as was I. Not only does it look great, but it smells great too. The banana, lime and watermelon jelly beans as well as the vanilla and strawberry hearts really add a scent of sweet success to the project!

The inital step for this project was to design it!
I sketched some ideas and sent the to Just Born.

This is the final approved sketch for the project.