Cooking Up Plastic

I don't understand the function of the plastic wall guarding this kitchen. It doesn't offer any real privacy, and it doesn't even appear to extend fully. What the hell? And what's with the hideous pattern printed on it?

Don't even get me started on the aluminum-foil-papered, mirror-striped dining room wall in the background (yes, the entire wall is mirror-striped; I saw the foh-tohs).