Everyone else sees nothing but a clutter of food, napkins, and milk splatters on the tables and floor of the cafeterias. But to a special few, it’s a form of abstract art, art that represents the struggle and disorder of the average high school student.
These cafeteria artists are now on the rise—ready to stand their ground and tell you that their litter has meaning in this world.
At Brentwood High School, no one is a stranger to the disarray during lunchtime: unfinished food in trays, empty milk cartons toppled over, squashed fruit that has encountered soles one time too many. But think about it; why does it occur so often?
Are students fed up with their lives consisting of tiring classmates, difficult homework, crowded halls, bad grades, and source material that was promised by our teachers to be on our exams? What is this generation trying to tell the school?
The MMS, or Modern Mess Society, is a newly formed club that is quickly growing in members and recognition for their advocacy. They strongly believe that these messes are pieces of art that should be seen and valued as such. This has caused a stir on social media and in person, as the rest of the school is attempting to understand the motives behind the members of MMS.
“The MMS is dedicated to giving a voice to kids that want to express their artistic ability,” said Patricia Melt, a junior and member of the MMS. “And we want to prove that it’s true art, not ‘just a mess.’”
The club first formed when a student left a clutter of trash laid out on the table of the cafeteria. The monitors caught the student and demanded that he clean this mess up or else he would be sent to the discipline office. But another student stood up and began explaining to the monitors that it was not simply trash, but rather was left on purpose.
“MMS started out as something small between me and other friends of mine. But after that event, we knew we had to make ourselves known and make ourselves big,” Melt said.
The other students within the cafeteria agreed, sparking a small riot. The news spread through the school, including social media apps like Snapchat and Instagram with the hashtags #MMS, #MessesMeanSomething, and more. Both students and staff began to question the morality of this event. However, some students sided with the rioters and decided to form the group now known as MMS.
Because of the attention received from this event and the rising debate of messes being considered art, the MMS decided to create an event to demonstrate their side of the story. Volunteers from the group showcased their art to show students and staff alike.
One piece, named “distraught,” was created by an unknown student. Crushed soda cans represent the crushed dreams of theirs, a half-eaten burger and cookie symbolizing that dreadful feeling of never being able to enjoy life to the fullest. Spilled milk and juice convey the message of how their life is disoriented and discombobulated. This art piece is meant to represent the many factors of how a student feels seven hours a day, five days a week.
“Students feel like they are trapped in this world of order and repetition,” Melt said. “This group was formed to allow them to let loose and break free from their boring routine.”
Many students at the school seem to share the same sentiment. Some students have said that this is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our connections with one another and continue to stay united. Surprisingly, some teachers have also sided with the MMS as supporters.
“Art comes in many forms,” one art teacher said. “Despite the differences found in every one of them, they should all be valued just as much as the others.”
As expected, there are other staff members that have found these series of events unamusing and rather distracting. Some argue that this is just another trend within schools that will fade out of relevancy as quickly as it came in.
“It’s already one thing to have to tell kids to clean up after themselves after eating, but now I have to watch kids leave rotting banana peels and half eaten sandwiches on the table and then call themselves the next Picasso?” said the school janitor. “Ridiculous, I tell you.”
Despite the voiced distaste of people against the Modern Mess Society and the events that have unfolded, the group continues to stay persistent and refuses to sway their motives. They believe that all of the spilt drinks and squashed food actually hold meaning. They want to bring a new form of expression to light, or to the dumpster? Public opinion is mixed up…like whatever is left on those tables after lunch.
*This article is a satire and is not meant to be taken literally.*
