Artifact #3 Is food Art?
Objectives:
- 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
- Consider cultural differences in the production and consumption food.
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.
Reflection
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?
Learning Goal in the future
First thing I have to say this is a very interesting topic maybe my favorite one among all the units. Personally, I strongly believe that food should be counted as art because it will affect people’s emotion. If you ask me what kind of thing make homesick I will say my mother’s dishes. I hope I will be able to create such beautiful ART but it seems like i do not have any sense of it ;(
Scott Huette (2009, September 21). Fast Food. Retrieved June 12th, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VGCQ40d063Y
>Artifact #4: The Art of Personal Adornment<
>Artifact #5: The Aesthetics of Horror<
>Artifact #6: Creative Spirituality<