Interview 16th November 1998.
Q; Tell me what this project entails?
A; Basically, I'm trying to increase my body weight as much as I can in a two month period of forced high calorie consumption combined with a programme of zero physical exercise. I try to eat and drink heavily each day whilst recording the entire process through a strict regime of daily weighings, diet sheets and video documentation. This began on the 1st of October 1998 and will end on the 4th December with the opening of the show. At the moment I've put on almost sixteen pounds and there's about three weeks to go.
Q; It seems to me that Robert de Niro's preparation for his role as Jake La Motta in Raging Bull is clearly an influence.
A; Yes, that was a definite starting point for me. Apparently, he put on fifty five pounds in four months of "eating his way through Europe". I've only got two months to eat my way through Australia, and so, realistically, my target falls a little short of that.
Q; And what about Elvis?
A; Well, Elvis is a very different case in a number of ways. The most obvious difference being that Elvis's eating habits and weight gain were integral parts of regular lifestyle, whilst de Niro was preparing for a specific role and has always seemed to exercise utter control over his body. Actually, I was surprised to find out that Elvis was hitting the burgers very early on in his career. One biographer tells of witnessing the King demolish six cheeseburgers, two bacon sandwiches and three milkshakes during one sitting in 1957. It does seem that eating was Elvis's main hobby for most of his life and he would be forced into periodic slim downs for certain film roles and concerts, such as the 1968 TV comeback special. Marlon Brando was also a great consumer from early on. Truman Capote wrote a very illuminating portrait of Brando in 1956 whilst he was in Japan filming Sayonara. Brando receives Capote in his Kyoto hotel suite just as he's about to order dinner, and what a dinner it is, considering that the director has just ordered him to lose ten pounds for the role. He orders soup, beefsteak with french fries, a side order of spaghetti, rolls and butter, a bottle of Sake, salad, cheese and crackers plus apple pie with ice cream!
Q; Very impressive.
A; I'm planning to recreate that meal and Elvis's burger feast as part of the video documentary.
Q; Can you read out the details from one of your daily diet record sheets?
A; This one is from November 10th. Morning - two slices of cheesecake, two mugs of milky tea with sugar, two slices of fried French toast with bacon, ketchup and a large glass of milk with Body Bulk dietary supplement, then a pear and a banana. Afternoon - one bottle of Coke, large packet of crisps and a Magnum Ice Cream, large pepperoni pizza, cheesecake and milky tea with sugar. Evening - large glass of milk with added skimmed milk powder, bag of chips, roast chicken with pesto gravy, roast potatoes, salad, ice cream Christmas pudding with Remy Martin, four beers and finally three slices of buttered toast with jam.
Q; So do you have a clearly defined plan for each day?
A; Not a very rigid one but I do try to keep eating consistently throughout the day with no really huge meals, so that I'm still capable of eating more within an hour or two. I did get some advice from a hospital dietitian and also a trainer at the local gym, most of which was fairly common knowledge. I think that most people these days have a fairly clear idea of what kind of diet and patterns of consumption would bulk them up. It's really just a case of eating and drinking large quantities of what we've been told to avoid.
Q; But there are also contradictory forces at work which encourage us to consume, consume, consume but stay slim and minimise our waste and garbage output.
A; Yes, that's right. I'm interested in the situation which this residency puts me. I'm entirely free to do what I want in terms of my daily schedule. It's like the height of decadence in some ways - constant consumption, no 'work', self absorption, lots of reading and watching videos. I'm attempting to attain the higher state of untroubled consumer.
Q; It's a kind of heightened First World leisure lifestyle and you've become an ultra consumer.
A; I have certainly become something of a slob. A Homer Simpsonesque couch potato. And of course it's having some adverse effects on my health.
Q; Such as?
A; Well, for instance I've had to cut back on some of the more sugary things as my teeth were really beginning to ache. I've also noticed that I'm very out of breath after the lightest exertions, that my back muscles are aching and that I've begun snoring for the first time in my life.
Q; Are you sure that this is all related to your weight gain?
A; Well, I'm certain that the toothache, the lack of breath and the back problems are byproducts of my new lifestyle. I've also been told that snoring can be triggered by a build up of fat around the throat.
Q; So where else is the fat building up on your body?
A; Mostly on my torso, especially the stomach and lower back areas. It's also clear to see on my chest and extending under my arms at the top of my ribcage. I'm getting a double chin as well, so it's the classic look.
Q; It's going to be much tougher to lose it than it was to put it on you know. I'm presuming that you are intending to lose it?
A; Who knows? I might like it.