Teal-Blue Cup and Straw in Vehicle Interior
Found Object / Industrial Design / Ready-made • Unidentified mass manufacturer; produced for the retail beverage or housewares market.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Functionalism / Mass-Produced Consumerism
Medium & Technique
Polypropylene or polyethylene thermoplastic; injection molded. Accompanied by a flexible corrugated plastic drinking straw.
Creation Period
Early 21st Century (Circa 2000-2020)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15 cm height and 9 cm diameter; vertical cylindrical format.
Subject Description
A single-walled teal-blue plastic cup holding a slender blue straw, positioned within the cabin of a motor vehicle (likely a mid-2000s General Motors model). The composition explores themes of modern mobility, disposable culture, and domestic utility within transit.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; shows visible signs of utilitarian wear including surface scuffing and minor organic residue on the exterior.
Estimated Market Value
$0.50 - $2.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$0.00 - $1.00 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a fast-food establishment or a consumer department store; currently held in private transit-based collection.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'Ready-made' tradition established by Marcel Duchamp, highlighting the aestheticization of the mundane and the ubiquitous nature of plastic in the Anthropocene epoch.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive flexible 'bendy' straw, a hallmark of late 20th-century convenience design, and positioned against a backdrop of analog automotive technology.
Condition Issues
External staining, micro-abrasions to the plastic finish, and potential degradation from UV exposure within the vehicle.
Conservation Recommendations
Thorough cleaning with non-abrasive soap and water; store in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further polymer breakdown.