Background
In ancient times, people would make popcorn by heating sand in a fire and then stirring kernels of popcorn in the hot sand. American Indians used to believe that spirits peacefully lived inside each popcorn kernel. The spirits would get angry when the kernels are heated. Their “houses” would start to shake in this anger. When it got too hot, the spirits broke out of their houses in a very angry burst of steam. An interactive art installation that upcycles popcorn waste at movie theaters can do much more than tell the inseparable story of popcorn and the movies.
A kernel of popcorn contains just a small amount of water. When these kernels are heated, the water turns to steam and the kernels “pop.” Popcorn is different than many other grains because its shell is not water permeable, making it possible for pressure to build up until the kernel finally explodes. Unpopped popcorn kernels are called “spinsters” or “old maids.” Quality popcorn should produce 98% popped kernels with under 2% being spinsters.
Popcorn Waste
Since 1912, we have been selling popcorn in theaters. In the United States alone, approximately 17 billion quarts of popcorn are consumed every year. Of this, at least 340,000,000 quarts are unpopped or ‘wasted’. We often hear accusations against movie theaters for serving ‘stale’ popcorn to their blindsided customers. Popped popcorn comes in two shapes: “snowflake” or “mushroom.” Movie theaters typically sell the bigger “snowflake” popcorn. Popcorn is a big money maker as well. Besides being overpriced, people eating popcorn get thirsty. Consequently, we buy sodas or water as well. For every dollar spent on popcorn, about 90 cents is profit.
Popcorn and the Movies
An interactive art installation using unpopped and unsold popcorn waste can sit in the otherwise drab foyers of multiplex cinemas. This is not only a great tool for experiential marketing, but also demonstrates that the movie theater chain serves fresh popcorn and also upcyles their waste. Movie goers could dump their leftover popcorn into the collection bins placed near the installation. The installation can be populated, refreshed and interacted with on an ongoing basis.
The Popcorn and the Movies art installations are customizable to your movie theater. We discuss color scheme, design and pattern based on client’s preferences. Let’s grab a coffee and chat about a Popcorn and the Movies art installation for you. Contact us.