This whole concept is dangerously cheesy.
The internationally renowned showcase Art Basel Miami Beach will this year close out its final day with a Cheetos-hosted exhibition featuring art made out of the orange dust from its iconic puffed cornmeal snack, a residue formally known as Cheetle.
LL Cool J’s lifestyle brand, Rock the Bells, is co-presenting the event alongside Cheetos, and the collaborators are promoting it as “one of the most anticipated events at Art Basel 2021 on the Seafair Mega Yacht.”
The five-four trash food-dusted extravaganza will not only feature eight new, original Cheetle-based pieces by street artist Lefty Out There but five DJs, “Cheetos-inspired activations,” onboard activities, and an open bar, all aboard the 220-foot, four-story yacht, according to the oddly normal-looking Eventbrite page.
“His signature squiggles are the forefront of virtual creativity and has gained international recognition,” Rock the Bells tweeted in promotion of the Cheeto-utilizing artist.
“Who said don’t play with your food?” an automated-sounding voice narrated in another tweeted promotional clip.
The Saturday, Dec. 4, event is free with registration. A more exclusive bash may follow, although it appears to be by invitation only.
Quotes from corporate employees of Cheetos’ parent company Frito-Lay are hilariously dry and barely lean into the possibilities of the highly meme-worthy event.
“Over the years, fans have used Cheetos as inspiration for so many different things, from fashion to beauty to culinary and more,” commented Frito-Lay North America senior director of marketing Jessica Spaulding, Food & Wine reported. “Now, we’re excited to see how Cheetle — the orange dust that our fans wear proudly on their fingertips — is brought to life at Art Basel through the incredibly talented Lefty Out There’s artwork.”
Of course, Twitter immediately mocked the cheesy project, comparing it to 2019’s duct-taped banana, which ended up selling for $120,000.
“$120,000 banana: I’m the dumbest s – – t you’ve ever seen and I’m coming to Art Basel Cheetos: hold my beer,” tweeted one person.
“How the hell did we get here with Cheetos??” added another.