While reading the article, Food as Art, written by Tefler, I kept finding myself going back and forth on whether or not I thought food was an art or more of a craft. I could definitely see it both ways, which makes it hard to make a decision. But after thinking about both ways thoroughly, I think that food is more of a craft than an art. In Teflers article, it claims, “It is true that it is often thought of as a craft. One reason for this is that its products are useful” (16). The example he used that by mentioning that the products are useful is a great example of this. It brings out the more crafts side of it because it is being used for something important. Making food and/or meals are carried out by instruction. Chefs have to learn how to do many things before they are able to cook meals. They follow instructions and have to be able to figure out what goes best with what. To me, I think the chef is looked upon as a craftsman because of the wonderful creations that he/she makes. I picture a “work of art” as something that is being viewed. In the article, Tefler explains, “we can now expand this definition: if something is a work of art, then its maker or exhibitor intended it to be looked at or listened to with intensity, for its own sake” (12). If food is an art, it would just be used to look at, rather than to be tasted and figuring out what goes best with such a combination of different things. If food is an art, it would be more focused on designing dishes and meals which represent artwork within it. My father and grandfather are both chefs and would agree with me when I asked them if food was an art or a craft. They commented on how it would depend on whether your using food as show, or if it was the work that put into it. You have to build the skills of becoming an experienced chef and build meals with what you know and what you are able to mix different ingredients with.
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You said, “If food is an art, it would just be used to look at, rather than to be tasted and figuring out what goes best with such a combination of different things.” I don’t agree with the statement of art being used to look at. Art is about perception and experience. There is a lot that goes in to art and not just one aspect. Art is about the process and thought as well as the final product. The final product can be based on touch, smell, taste, hearing, and sight. All the senses can be involved or just a few to be considered art. I don’t believe art is something that is just viewed like you had said in your blog. Music can be art and cannot be seen. That doesn’t mean music is not art. Art is a complex word and can mean a lot of different things. Back to the article, it is an aesthetic experience.
I found it very interesting how you explained the reasoning why food can be both craft and a work of art. I agree with you 100%. As I struggled with where the author stood with whether food is a piece of art or not, I absolutely think that it can be considered as both. I would be decided by the maker’s passion and effort that was put in to it and the opinion of the consumer or viewer. Furthermore, if the viewer or the critique had “aesthetic response” then the viewer may conclude the food is in an art form. However, I am convinced from the author and you’s reflection that food can be a craft work because of the ‘usefulness’ of it. Thank you for clearing my thoughts on this week’s article!
I liked your blog post and I understood where you were coming from. I do believe that food is a fine art and it takes great skill like other things to make and even recreate meals. Chefs do make beautiful creations. I never really thought about it in the way your father and grandfather put it. I never thought about the difference between using food as show or if it was the work that put into it. I don’t quite understand your view in the fact “If food is an art, it would just be used to look at, rather than to be tasted and figuring out what goes best with such a combination of different things”. I feel that once you make food then you are creating something that can be looked at and viewed as well as eat.