Jul
2014
Unit 3 – food 1st post
In the country where I come from, China, people has a really strong sense of understand about food because we believe that food is one type of symbol of culture which reveals the change of history and human wisdom. For example, about 50 years ago, China was recovering from the destruction of the war that people were suffering from food shortage and natural disaster. In order to survive, Chinese people was trying to eat EVERYTHING including something that western people could never imagine and trying to make them delicious. This is one of the main cause why Chinese cuisine are well-known because its flavor and diversity. However, does that mean the food can be counted as form of Art?
According to Dissanayake, the idea of art is consist of 3 concept: human history, all human society and psychological or emotional need which as psychological or emotional effect. In the meantime, Tefler also claim in the article that food is “often arranged or decorated in creative and attractive was which constitute a visual work of art”. As I mentioned above, food or cuisine often has strong relationship with human history, which will affect the framework of the society and people lifestyle. By the definition of art given by Dissanayake, food has already satisfied the first 2 concept of the idea of art; however, I believe the third concept along with Telfer’s argument should be the key point of defining whether food belongs to one form of art. Tefler mentions that when people are making dishes or food, they are prefer to make it creatively like putting some decoration on the cake on around the dish. The purpose of doing that is to enhance appetite and enjoyment, which can be understood as creating “psychological or emotional effect”. For example, spicy food are usually made in red or use red containers. By doing so, it is not only just because of the color of chili but also give people a sense that the food itself might be spicy, but also provides a visual impact which may stimulate people’s appetite. On the other side, some restaurants will offer some small dishes which contains lot of vinegar to stimulate people’s appetite or offer some light-flavor food after you eat some strong-flavor dishes such as beef steak. More typical example can be cakes. People usually eat cakes during the celebration which is considered to be happy and memorable. Thus many cakes are decorated with color and has really strong taste of sweetness because the flavor sweet will enhance the sense of happiness by stimulating the enzymes made by pituitary gland.
In conclusion, personally I strongly believe that food should be counted as forms of art.
kaiqing@uoregon.edu
July 30, 2014 at 3:03 am (11 years ago)Hi Lu:
Your post is very easy to read, because you have clearly ordered. In your post, you mentioned three concepts of Dissanayake. I really agree these concepts. However, I have a little different opinion about your first paragraph. In your first paragraph you said: About 50 years ago, China was recovering from the destruction of the war that people were suffering from food shortage and natural disaster. In order to survive, Chinese people were trying to eat everything. I should admit. China at that time most of people cannot get enough food. I also heard my grandparents told me a lot of things at that period. But nowadays, people can get sufficient food, even one third Chinese is overweight. In addition, we have a better life quality. But they still like to try some different kinds of food. I think it is “making special”. This idea leads people always like to try some new food.
Roka
August 1, 2014 at 4:45 pm (10 years ago)Interesting post, Tingzhu. I have never really thought about making something inedible, edible. I imagine in order to make it appetizing, that the cook or chef would need to make it appealing and possibly beautiful. I can see where that would certainly be a form of art. I wonder though… if it wasn’t made to look appealing, would it still be a form of art? Is the art solely in how it looks upon completion or is it also in the process that made the food that western people would never eat, palatable?
I ask the question, because I think of art as something that is visually interesting or perhaps, pleasing. But now I wonder if just making something that would seem horrible to eat into a delicious meal, would be enough to call it art, or would it have to also be worthy of aesthetic appreciation. Telfer refers to food and emotion when she states “…food cannot move us in the way that music and the other major arts can” (p.26). I would say that perhaps this redesigned food, the only food available in a food shortage, would definitely express emotion, as it is the only thing to eat. It was deemed inedible, and now it is providing nourishment and sustenance. I wonder would that be considered art or perhaps craftsman/womanship?