Food&Art

We are no doubt a visually hungry culture. We often hunger for aesthetically pleasing meals just as much as the meals themselves. The look of a meal not only denotes certain qualities about the individual eating it, but also about the chef's philosophy, the social climate and ideologies of the place it is served.

Take these two pictures for instance:

Your typical Montreal poutine

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dennis/3418100935/

VS

An appetizer off the menu at Noma (rated the World's Best Restaurant in 2010)

Without even seeing the rest of the scene, we begin to construct meaning from these two images. Although the first image might look more appetizing based on our culture (associating carbohydrates, cheese and grease with satisfying taste, comfort and indulgence) we can agree that it is not a very prestigious or dignified meal. When imagining who would be sitting down to enjoy these two dishes, we might think of an intoxicated Paris Hilton for the first, compared to a royal Queen Elizabeth for the second. Thus, as with any commodity, meal choices signify of one's social status in society; another accessory and visual cue which denotes one's personality and lifestyle. 

Taking an Adorno and Horkheimer approach, we could say that the image of the poutine represents mass-produced culture, whereas the salad represents high art in the culinary world; the first produced by a part-time fryer boy and the second produced inside a Michelin star kitchen by a world class chef. Objections, like those to Adorno and Horkheimer's theories, would be that poutine is so popular and induces immediate salivation because it tastes good. Thus, why does it matter who makes it or how much time and quality has gone into making it? This ongoing debate is frustrating to say the least; however, as a commodity, it is not a debate that food cannot escape. 

There is a lot of pretension and snobbery in the culinary world and there will continue be individuals who wave their Puriforca sterling silver forks in disgust to anything that has come within an inch of a deep fryer. Conversely, there will be those who choose to start each morning with a wrapped up gift of processed ham, cheese and eggs squished between the slices of an English muffin. 

It is on the topic of food and art that made me think of Dan Beckemeyer. Although his illustrations may not appeal to the collectors of "high art," to me, he is an Andy Warhol visionary. His images reflect common culture; linking together associated food and beverages, to spur smiles upon the faces of those who have enjoyed these gluttonous combinations. 

A delicious mashup of food, art and text: commodities consumed daily in a consumer culture. 

- Danielle




Citation:
Beckemeyer, Dan. "Ampersand Food Groups" 26 Sept 2010. Behance LLC. 17 Nov 2010. <http://www.behance.net/gallery/Ampersand-Food-Groups--Typography-Illustrations/597770>.