"For the first time in my practice, I'm using flies not just as artistic collaborators, but as educators. They know where the sodium is. We don't.
By creating these paintings, I'm asking viewers to see what their taste buds can no longer detect."
About the Project
Flies are attracted to salt we
can’t see.
In fact, they have taste receptors on their legs and wings that allow them to sense salt — even discern when it’s too high in concentration.
Unlike traditional painting media,
the fly's regurgitation becomes
the brush.
Unless humans have built-in receptors for sodium like flies, salt will be invisible to the naked eye. This public health project uses flies’ instinctive attraction to sodium, to visualise the amount of salt people unknowingly over-consume in their everyday diet. Being able to see the saltiest parts of one’s meal is the first step to having a better relationship with salt.
Hidden Salt Uncovered by Flies
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Hidden Salt Uncovered by Flies *
To bring the invisible to life, Knuth fed houseflies dishes well-loved in Singapore's beloved hawker culture: mee rebus, curry prata, and fried fish soup with milk. The flies, drawn to hidden sodium through receptors on their mouths and legs, unconsciously map the exact locations where excess salt hides in everyday meals. The result, John’s "Hidden Salt Uncovered by Flies."
Artworks
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Artworks *
‘Fried Fish Soup
with Milk’
This was a feast for the flies. Though unlike us, they know exactly where most of the sodium is hiding in this dish. It’s in the soup.
Fun fact: Did you know that half of a bowl of soul contains ~500mg of sodium? Don’t finish the soup, or skip that extra dipping sauce at every meal - to help keep you within the recommended daily sodium limit.
‘Mee Rebus’
Like many of us, a buzz-y friends enjoy a good gravy. However, you can tell by the colourful clues they left behind, just how salty each ingredient is.
Fun fact: Did you know that the gravy of your mee rebus can make up ~70% of the total amount of sodium in this dish? Not to leave some for the flies, but it might be wise to ask for less, or not finish the gravy to help keep you within the recommended daily sodium limit.
‘Prata with Curry’
You probably believe the more curry you add, the better prata tastes. The flies left a little message for you to show just how salty the different parts of your meal can be.
Fun fact: Did you know that 1 tablespoon of gravy adds ~500mg of sodium to your meal? Ask for less, or skip that extra gravy or sauce at every meal to help keep you within the recommended daily sodium limit.