Goals

• 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.
• Explore the notion of food as an artform.
• Consider cultural differences in the production and consumption food.

Food as Art Research: February 2, 2014

William Deresiewicz writes an article titled, “A Matter of Taste?” ultimately concluding that food is in fact, not an art. Deresiewicz writes, “But what has happened is not that food has led to art, but that it has replaced it.” The article speaks of food as it relates to culture. “Foodism” is costly and requires knowledge and connoisseurship. Art and food are similar in the sense that it is a genuine passion that people like to share with one another. Deresiewicz compares food and art and how food lacks the aesthetics that art has. He concludes that food is not art. He argues that while food and art both address the senses, but food stops at the senses. Food does not evoke the type of emotions that art could.

Elizabeth Telfer writes about the distinction between art and craft. Art is an original creation and a craft is carrying out a certain set of instructions.  “Recipes are sometimes treated as works of art, of a kind analogous to musical compositions. The cook who creates such a recipe is a creative artist” (Food as Art 16). Deresiewicz may appreciate the process of creating such a recipe and considering it art. However, when considering the actual food and how it relates to emotions are different. Deresiewicz writes, “But food, for all that, is not art. Both begin by addressing the senses, but that is where food stops. It is not narrative or representational, does not organize and express emotion. An apple is not a story, even if we can tell a story about it” (Deresiewicz).  The process by which food is created can tell a story. The ingredients and attention to detail in making the food is art. Telfer writes, “food does not represent anything else, as most literature and much visual art does” (Food as Art 25). The visual and representational arts show us something about the world or ourselves. Food cannot tell us something about the world or ourselves. Telfer claims that food does hold meaning. This meaning can relate to a particular culture and traditions. Food produces a different type of meaning not similar to the meaning that major art forms produce.

Food produces emotions but only scratches the surface of emotion. “Meals can evoke emotions, but only very roughly and generally, and only within a very limited range — comfort, delight, perhaps nostalgia, but not anger, say, or sorrow, or a thousand other things. Food is highly developed as a system of sensations” (Deresiewicz). Telfer discusses the inability of food to express emotion, but cooks are able to express themselves in their work. For example, a cook can express themselves in the quality of their cookery. “But whereas in music the emotion is somehow expressed in the product itself- the music can be sad or joyful, angry or despairing-in food the emotion is only the motive behind the product” (Food as Art 25). Both Telfer and Deresiewicz agree that food can evoke certain emotions, but lacks certain meaning. Deresiewicz alludes to the fact that food cannot tell a story like a piece of art can. Food does not provide a narrative or representative of anything. The final product of a meal can represent the quality of the chef, but the food itself lacks a story. A major piece of art can evoke meanings and tell a story, but a steak, regardless of quality is just a steak.

“Not all objects that can give rise to aesthetic reactions are works of art. A work of art is by definition a man-made thing, even if the human involvement need consist of no more than putting a natural object and giving it a title” (Food as Art 18). Deresiewicz, agrees in a sense writing, “A good risotto is a fine thing, but it isn’t going to give you insight into other people, allow you to see the world in a new way, or force you to take an inventory of your soul.” The food itself is not going to move you in a meaningful way. The way the food appears or taste stops at the senses. It can evoke a pleasurable taste or a not so pleasurable taste. Telfer brings up an interesting question in regards to a dish of food as art. “How can there be works of art which are destroyed by the very activity, eating, which is necessary for contemplating them?” (Food as Art 17). The Mona Lisa is a fine piece of art that has lasted for decades. It has been viewed and analyzed by many. However, food is temporary. The art that may be produced by food is enjoyed for a very brief period of time. Food is temporary and limited in evoking emotions, but true art is lasting and brings about many emotions.

Bibliography:

Desresiewicz, D. ( 2012, 26 October). A Matter of Taste?

[On-line Newspaper]. Retrieved Feburary 1,2014 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/opinion/sunday/how-food-replaced-art-as-high-culture.html

Telfer, E. (2002). Food as art. In Neill, A. & Ridley, A (Eds.), Arguing About Art: Contemporary Philosophical Debates (2 ed., pp. 9-27). New York: Routledge.

Reflection: I think it would be fair to say that we all love food. There is not consensus on one food that is enjoyed by all, maybe pizza, but generally speaking we all appreciate food. However, the question of whether or not this food we enjoy is art, is still up for debate. This assignment helped to show the difference between something that is art and something that is a craft. Art is an original creation and a craft is carrying out a certain set of instructions.  “Recipes are sometimes treated as works of art, of a kind analogous to musical compositions. The cook who creates such a recipe is a creative artist” (Food as Art 16). Food is not narrative or representational, does not organize and express emotion.

“Not all objects that can give rise to aesthetic reactions are works of art” (Food as Art 18). This one quote was helpful in analyzing whether or not food was a work of art. The aesthetic reactions that are brought from food do not provide insight into other people like true art can. Food is such a temporary object, while art is usually lasting. This video helps to analyze the difference in the potential of art of fast and slow food. I don’t believe that either are art. However, i appreciate the craft that goes into slow food as opposed to fast food.

Future: This section will help me to appreciate food and the craft that goes into the process of making food. While the food I consume will most likely be aesthetically pleasing, I will also appreciate the process and effort that was put forth into making the food. While I may not believe that what I am eating is art, I can appreciate the craft of the creator.

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