Friday, March 29, 2013

In Your Easter Bonnet, with All the Peeps Upon It

Even if this is a miserably early Easter, it’s certainly the time of year when there’s a feeling of Peeps in the air.

Especially so because The Washington Post just announced the winners of its annual Peeps Diorama contest, for which they received 650 entries. (Note to sisters: we have to figure out something to do here. This should definitely tap the inner Peep artiste that lives in each of us. Maybe if the Gardner gets its stolen paintings back, there’s a tie in there. Arty ones tend to do pretty well.)

There were many excellent dioramas, and I don’t envy the WP editors who had to narrow the field down to the chosen few that were considered.

I do note with mild dismay, however, that Peep bunnies seem to have replaced the original Peep chicks. I don’t remember this having been quite as pronounced in the past, but it’s really no surprise, as the rabbit Peeps, with their upright almost humanoid form, better lend themselves to representing peeple than do the originals. (I still maintain that the original is still the greatest.)

Anyway, here’s one of my favorite entrants: Peep Roller Derby.

Bringing all the action of the D.C. roller derby scene to the tiny track. Submitted by Erin Seagraves, 28, Meg Conlan, 24, PC Zai, 28, Abby Loeffler, 33, and Sophia Yan, 22, of the District.

Then there’s this also quite excellent, albeit a bit more disturbing, portrayal of the creation of pink slime hamburgers, which was in the news quite a bit last year.

The expose on Pink Slime burgers being served in cafeterias comes too late to save these Pink Peeps. Submitted by Peter Yeo, 49, of Chevy Chase.

Culture vulture that I am, and as someone who took Art History 101, I adored the Peep-lica of Seurat’s Dejuenuer sur La Grande Jatte

Peeps_leGrande

Truly a masterpiece in its own right. I could barely tell the difference between the diorama and the real thing.

The grand prize winner was this excellent tableau. It’s hard to fully appreciate it at this small size, but it’s a funeral for the Twinkie.

The Peep-Pope presides over the funeral service of the Twinkie, a product of Hostess which announced it would file for bankruptcy last fall. Peeps mourn the loss of one of their own who will be buried along with other bygone sugary snacks. Submitted by Leslie Brown, 55, and Lani Hoza, 48, of Charlottesville, Va.

Here’s one close up. (Love the stained-glass window.)

And here’s a shot that shows Twinkie in its casket.

: Peeps Show VII: 2013 Diorama Contest winners: This year’s standouts include reproductions of oil paintings and controversial films, as well as replicas of iconic landmarks and democratic institutions. But ultimately nostalgia won. The diorama, “Twinkie: Rest in Peeps,” stole the most hearts and votes from The Post newsroom.

Rumors of Twinkie’s demise may well have been exaggerated, as a private equity firm (I think) will be resurrecting the brand.

As a local girl, my favorite diorama was, of course, the L.L. Peep. Simple, charming, and an excellent approximation of an L.L. Bean catalog.

Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of L.L.Bean. Submitted by Elizabeth Vogt,14, Lucy Vogt, 11, Brad Vogt, 47, of the District., and Peter Vogt, 71, of Cabin John.

In fact, I think that L.L. should consider using it.

Meanwhile, Happy Easter to all, and to all a good Peep.

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I’m not saying I'm exactly obsessed with Peeps, but if you are, there are few more Peep-inspired posts here:

Peeps on Earth, Good Will to Men, Women and Children

Product Innovation in the Peep-able Kingdom

Not a Peep Out of You 

 The Harley Davidson of the Candy World.

1 comment:

valerie said...

My mother loved peeps and eating. (Why she wasn't a zillion pounds, and why I didn't inherit her metabolism are still mysteries to me.) When she was up for a visit from Naples, I got to a Chinese restaurant in Lexington before her in order to place a tray of peeps on the dessert buffet. The look on her face when she saw them was a combination of wonder and joy. "They have peeps." she whispered ... and once in a while, in the aisles of Roche Brothers, so do I.