Poison Squad
created by the duplicates
The Off Center
Created by Rowan Doyle, Darwin Gilmore, Tom Horan, Courtney Sale and Cheng Wei Teng.
Costumes by Wilberth Gonzalez and Haydee Antunano
Photos by Rowan Doyle
Created by Rowan Doyle, Darwin Gilmore, Tom Horan, Courtney Sale and Cheng Wei Teng.
Costumes by Wilberth Gonzalez and Haydee Antunano
Photos by Rowan Doyle
In 1903 Harvey Wiley, a chemist with the Department of Agriculture, was convinced that the preservatives and dyes added to foods were dangerous. But he needed proof. So Wiley designed a research experiment that would expose healthy adults to high levels of the very chemicals and dyes he was seeking to eliminate from the American diet. He enlisted young men to eat in the basement of the Department of Agriculture- outfitting his makeshift dining room with white tablecloths, waiters and a chef. The men would order, and then chemicals were added to the food. Wiley would observe the men and make notes describing the effects of each meal on his volunteers.