Christien Meindertsma PIG 05049

by Christien Meindertsma

Back in print ( 4th Edition) In a complex and globalized world it has become increasingly difficult to trace the lines that link raw materials with producers, products and consumers. Designer Christien Meindertsma has published an intelligent project that attempts to chart this phenomena. An extensive collection of photographic images has been assembled that document the mind-boggling array of various products that different parts of an anonymous pig called 05049 could support. A visual essay without moral undertones, this complete image of what the pig means to mankind provides a timely serving of food for thought.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Art Design

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Dutch artist and designer.

Reviews

[Ruby Tombstone Lives!]

Holy fuck. Just saw this referenced on QI. I had no idea pig bits were used in so many things: flour improver, wine corks, ink jet paper, match heads, bone china, train brakes, fabric softener, ice cream, crayons, chemical weapons testing, yoghurt.... There's even pig blood in the cigarette filter currently between my lips. Eeuw.

[German Chaparro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that proves that true veganism might be unattainable.

[Niels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.
– Winston Churchill

Ever since I became a vegetarian, pigs have been my ‘favourite animal to not eat’. In fact, it was after seeing a video about the slaughter of pigs that I decided to completely cut meat from my diet. Besides, not only do little piglets just look very cute, they’re also a really intelligent species (check out this video by the BBC for example).

So when I visited the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam a few months ago, I was immediately intrigued by this book that was on display. I went online to search if I could buy a copy of it myself, but it turned out to be quite rare. Fortunately, I was able to buy an edition second-hand.

In the book, Christien Meindertsma has collected 185 products that are made with a pig involved in the production process in one form or another. The book starts with a few charts that show what parts of the pig are used. After that, the products are grouped by seven categories: “Skin”, “Bones”, “Meat”, “Internal organs”, “Blood”, “Fat” and “Miscellaneous”. It is incredible to see how many things are made using pigs. Of course there are some obvious ones, like pork meat and gelatine used in candy. But then you also learn that parts of a pig’s body can be used to create bullets, batteries, concrete and even jigsaw puzzles.


Veganism is usually defined as avoiding animal products, as far as practically possible. So I don’t think vegans or vegetarians should be worried if they have ever used products included in the book. The same goes for people with other objections to consuming or using pig products, such as Muslims and Jews. It just goes to show that so many products nowadays are made with animals involved. It’s really hard to avoid all of them.

The main goal of PIG 05049 is to show us how vague production processes have become in the industrialised, globalised world. Meindertsma mentions this herself in the afterword of the book. Of most of the products we use in our life, we have no idea how they are made. And it’s actually quite hard to discover this, because usually lots of facilities all over the world are part of the process. I think this book can make us aware of how far the industrial revolution has gone. We should reconsider if this is the way we want the world to work, especially when it comes to the use of animals and climate-intensive methods of production and shipping.

[Francine Fang · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book!!! One of my favorite artist’s book! The artist even designs icons for every introduction.

[Stephen Rötzsch Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stupid, clever, brilliant, beautiful, disturbing piece of art.

[Sarah Phoenix]

If I can get a copy of it...

[Jane Bresnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

185 industrial uses for a pig. With photos! Great book.

[Jeroen Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onsmakelijk boek dat op gestileerde wijze inzicht geeft in de nietsontziende efficiëntie van het (varkens-)vleesverwerkende deel van de industrie.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interessant boek over het verwerken van varkens in dagelijkse producten.