Objective:
- 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 art-form
Artifact:
Elizabeth Telfer’s addresses the seemingly controversial topic about whether or not food is or can be an art form. In our discussions about art so far, it has never crossed my mind that food would be a topic tied to art. It is an interesting and intriguing concept and I certainly think it should be considered. The issue about dishes as works of art that the author brings up grabbed my attention most. She presented the idea with the complex issue “because people have to eat them to appreciate them” (Telfer, 17). I can’t say that I agree with this statement. In my opinion the aesthetics of art comes from viewing or hearing it. Food can be an art from purely based on its arrangement on the plate, the use of color, the display and so on, not because of the taste. However, according to the definition of aesthetics in this article, “ our reaction is aesthetic, in many simple cases, if it is based solely on how the object appears to the sense”, all of them, including taste (Telfer, 9). Retracting my previous thoughts, taste appeals to one of the sense, therefore can be a means for evaluating art. Just like any of the other senses, the interpretation is individualized and particular to each person. Perhaps the big issue of food as art, is if taste is the concern, then in order for more than one person so enjoy the same work of art, they would have to eat different portions of the dish, and “no two people can appreciate the same one” (Telfer, 17). After the dish is eaten and/or shared, then it can be difficult for the chef or creator to recreate the exact same dish for someone else to possibly enjoy the exact same experience.
From Ellen Dissanayake’s lecture, my take on food as art is from the modernist theory. I believe it is most related based on how she defines aesthetics “ a concern with elucidating principles such as taste and beauty that govern all arts” (Dissanayake, 17). With all of the cooking shows, specifically dessert shows, on television now I think it is safe to say that people do find food as an art form. Popular broadcasts are “Cake Boss” and “Cupcake Wars” which both involve amazingly cool dessert structures, which absolutely appeal to me aesthetically.
Reflection:
The picture above is a cake created on the show Cake Boss. I believe it is a great representation of how food can be a work of art. I think that food as art is a relatively new topic still being developed. Considering the art form isn’t just looked at to be appreciated, but eaten. This arises the problem, what happens to art after it’s all gone. I suppose you could then rely on pictures of it with a caption, but it would become a different kind of art at that point. Perhaps it can be better appreciated if it is approached with the ‘disinterested’ mind set Dissanayake discusses in her article “What is Art for?”.
I think the television shows such as Cake Boss and Cupcake Wars create an aesthetic reaction for viewers. People are amazed that the displays are made of cakes and cupcakes, all edible. The use of color and texture, props and animation all displayed in food form. This unit has come to make me realize that art comes in many forms. It has opened my eyes much wider to the world of art.
In the future I see myself taking into consideration the display of food. The artist, chef or baker whichever, has set out for a reaction and I hope to appreciate it more. I hope to enjoy food for more than just the taste now, but the creativity that went it to it as well.