Original Discussion Post:
After reading the Food As Art and watching the food presentations about fast food and slow food, I have decided that not all food is art. After watching the fast food presentation about McDonalds and other retail restaurant I find food like that to be disgusting. Food art needs to be something that takes time and effort into its making. Telfer argues that, “I shall claim that some dishes clearly constitute works of art in the classifying sense. But I shall also discuss argument purporting to show that food does not merit aesthetic attention: in other words, that dishes cannot constitute works of art in the evaluative sense”(Elizabeth Telfer pg 13). Food can be seen as works of art if they are natural and fresh. Food like fruit and vegetables I would say are works of art. I’m not saying that all fast food is not beautiful. I am a huge fan of In N Out because there food is amazing. Though I believe this because the food quality at In N Out is way better then McDonalds. A lot of the time seeing food as art depends on the person who is eating it. Everyone has different taste buds and cravings so it really depends on what the person likes. “Art had no purpose but to “be” and to provide opportunities for enjoying an aesthetic experience that was its own reward, and that once could have no higher calling than to open oneself to these heightened moments”(Dissanayake pg 18). The purpose of art is whatever the person that is judging thinks about it. Food is an interesting subject because it comes in a shapes and sizes. Food does have to look good to taste good. I have tried some dishes that look nasty but ended up being delicious. Food can be art both by taste and looks. It has to different forms of art. It really depends on what the person lies to eat.
Reflection:
The purpose of this assignment was to examine methods for evaluating qualities of art, such as product versus process, the difference between craft and fine art, must art be archival, and what is an aesthetic reaction. Our goal was to explore the notion of food as an art form. It also was suppose to challenge us by considering the cultural differences in the production and consumption of food. We looked through a couple of videos and articles that challenge our ability to identify if art is actually an art form. This was probably the hardest descision for me to make on whether food can be considered an art form. Their were a lot of good arguments that supported both side of the debate.
I ended up deciding that food was an art form but that it was consider a low value of art. Food can be used to make some pretty crazy forms of art. I have seen many picture of fruits and vegetables that have been used to make some beautiful forms of art. The only problem with food art was that it isn’t something that can bee seen and remembered for the ages. It is temporary art that can only last a couple of days because it would rote and the food would go bad. I do believe that Food could be more of an art for if there was a picture taken of the food art or it was painted instead of being like a sculpture.
Future:
I do not feel my view of food art will change in the future because i feel that I have hit a wall is trying to understand whether food is art or not. My believe is that it is an art form in the smallest way possible. I believe this only because food art will never be looked upon the same as other kinds of art lie paintings and sculptures that last forever and can be view by people all around thew world. Long story short i still will continue to see food as an art form.
Bibliography:
When you say that food art takes effort it made me think that maybe then it could be said that food dishes that have the intention of being appreciated and have creativity behind their creating should be art rather than the fries at McDonalds, which have little intention of creativity. I agree that deciding whether something is art or not is personal, because aesthetic responses are personal as is art. I would consider your example of ‘In N Out’ as art to be art under the criteria of examining somethings aesthetic appeal to determine if it’s art. The taste appeals to you as an aesthetically pleasing aspect making it art. It’s intention of appreciation may also make it art. If it was to be evaluated on creativity I would say it would be less of a form of art, simply because it is just a standard burger that hardly varies from one order to the next. But then again, maybe for some the simplicity and classic design is what makes it art.
-Michelle
Thank you for sharing your idea with us, Joseph. As you mentioned in your article, you consider some kinds of food as art, but some are not. You said art should be use time and effort to create. So, for this standard, fast food is not count to be art. I found that your point is very interesting, however, I’m not sure is right. From my opinion, different people have different understanding for the word “art”. According to article, I guess you might say that burger and chip is boring, they just use few time and the same method to cook. Fast food is sameness. However, for my understanding, I would say burger use the Golden Section to structure. Onion, cheese, beef and bread, each material have some ratio to produce. Some people might consider it’s sameness and boring, but some people might consider is classics. For example, when people think about the Burberry, they will image the original plaid style. I’m sure people consider Burberry’s style as classics rather than boring. I cannot for sure, but I just feeling every people have their own opinion about art and there’s no right or wrong answer for what is art.