TABLE OF CONTENTS:
II. Artifact Two: What is Art for? Essay Assignment
III. Artifact Three: Food as Art
IV. Artifact Four: Personal Adornment Essay
V. Artifact Five: Enjoying Horror Research
VI. Artifact Six: Creative Spirituality Reflection
VII. Artifact Seven: Art, Games, and Technology Research
VIII. Artifact Eight: Mural Assignment
OBJECTIVES:
• Examine methods for evaluating qualities of art, such as product versus process, the differ- ence between craft and fine art, must art be archival, and what is an aesthetic reaction.
• Explore the notion of food as an art-form.
ORIGINAL POST:
In “Food As Art”, Elizabeth Telfer explores the various arguments and points in the discussion of whether or not food is art. She starts by explaining that art generally requires an aesthetic reaction. She says aesthetic reactions are such that are “…based solely on how the object appears to the senses” and an “…appreciation of a thing for its own sake…” (p. 2). She adds that one can have aesthetic reactions to tastes and smells, which sets the stage for food as an art form. Telfer also explores the separation of food (product) from cookery (craft). She concludes that cookery is art because cooks “design dishes, courses and whole meals which present patterns of harmonious or contrasting flavors and textures. This is the approach of the cook who is designing a work of art” (p. 8). Eventually she concludes that food can be art by saying, “I conclude that there are no limitations, in us or in the nature of tastes themselves, which prevent food from giving rise to works of art…” (p. 15).
I think in many ways food can be more artistic than more traditional physical art, such as paintings and sculptures. I am not trying to judge the artistic quality of a painting or sculpture, but those avenues of art appeal aesthetically to only to the sense of sight. Food may appeal to sight, smell, taste, and touch. According to Ellen Dissananyake’s wrote that art is a means of “making special”. Through this lens food can certainly be art. The people who prepare fine meals plan the experience through four different senses in such a way to be pleasing and special.
It is important to note that food exists on somewhat of an artistic spectrum. I mentioned earlier the planning and effort that goes into a fine meal, certainly the same amount of effort to “make special” does not go into fast food or pre-prepared meals. Remember that Telfer said that art creates aesthetic reactions that must be based on how something appeals to the sense and not the utility of an object. I would argue that fast food, pre-made meals, and fitness-based meals are valued for their utility (timely, inexpensive, healthy) more than how they appeal to the senses.
REFLECTION:
Examine methods for evaluating qualities of art, such as product versus process, the differ- ence between craft and fine art, must art be archival, and what is an aesthetic reaction.
This assignment was great for not only discussing food as an art-form, but also simply exploring the idea of art, process versus product, craft versus art and aesthetic reactions. I learned a lot because of this assignment and I think my view of art has grown a lot. I never considered anything other than more traditional forms of art as being artistic. Now I can see that art can be created in many different ways. I learned that art requires an aesthetic reaction. Elizabeth Telfer described an aesthetic reaction as a reaction “…based solely on how the object appears to the senses” and an “…appreciation of a thing for its own sake…” (Telfer 2002). She also said that one can have aesthetic reactions to tastes and smells, which began to lead me to my conclusion that food can be art. I also explored the difference between product and process through Telfer’s writing and my own conclusions. Telfer concluded that cookery is art because of cooks’ artistic effort and creativity which go into creating fine meals. After reading her explanations and learning enough to form my own opinions, I agreed.
Explore the notion of food as an art-form.
After defining the barriers and qualities of art through Telfer’s writing, I began to explore food, the product not the process, as a form of art. I did not think that food could be broadly labeled art, and that only fine dining and expertly created meals are artistic. This lead me to believe that food exists on an artistic spectrum where fast food is the very lowest level and fine dining is in the higher level of artistry. Through the reasoning process and reading Telfer’s opinions and discussion I was able to educate myself,explore the notion of food as an art-form and come to my own conclusions.
FUTURE:
After completing this assignment I realized that it is important to keep an open mind when labeling something as art or not art. Moving forward, understanding aesthetic reactions and process versus product, I will be able to come to my own conclusions. But in general, I think the biggest take-away of this assignment, for me, is that it is important to be careful labeling things art or excluding them from art.