|
For the moment, let's not touch the global food economy and how people are massively exploited and local food supplies threatened in order to supply the western maw with more and cheaper produce. Given your previously ascribed to politics SF, I'd find it hard to believe you could knowingly support it.
Let's instead focus on the idea that food cannot be art. To me, this is better said that food doesn't have to be art. Just like the arts and crafts that my daughter makes in her room is not art. The tools and subject matter are frequently the same as that used by great artists to create art but we can see that they are not the same thing.
The same can be said of food. I can make a meal for my family and I would never dream of calling it art. Sometimes it's just sustenance and other times, I put a lot more effort into it and it's special (think Christmas dinner). And yet, it is not art. It is just food.
There are, however, people who train and work very hard to make very special food. These chefs take food to another level. Does everyone appreciate it? Probably not. Are they all successful in their attempts. No. Sometimes (many times) this haute cuisine is shit. But sometimes, it's magical.
Of course, like anything, there are all sorts of things in between the humble grilled cheese sandwich I make my kid for lunch and the sort of dishes turned out by someone like Feran Adria or Rene Redzepi. My favourite meals are simple and uncomplicated. Foams and sprays, I can do without. But that is besides the point. All art is not about anything but pushing boundaries, trying new things and concepts.
I find the pedestrian, out of hand dismissal of haute cuisine to be the same sort of things as those who are quick to dismiss art or fashion. You don't have to like it, but you can at least appreciate the effort and thought that went into it.
I, for one, am thankful that food is not just sustenance. I take a lot of pleasure from making and eating food and would be gutted if we reduced our consumption of food to paste from tubes. It would be the culinary equivalent of making everyone wear the same coveralls for clothes. I would rather celebrate difference and abundance than mediocrity and sameness.
---------- Post added at 05:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 PM ----------
Furthermore... just as there are in the world of art, music and fashion... there are snobs. Snobs are to be mocked... music snobs, art snobs, fashion snobs, food snobs all suck. Again, don't get me wrong. I think art should be embraced and celebrated, in all its forms (fashion, food, painting, music, etc.) by all. I don't think it should be the exclusive realm of the few, or those who can afford it. It should not be used as an excuse to encourage more us vs. them.
To me, art is about expanding an ongoing discussion about life through one person's interpretation of it.
To be clear, just like not all clothing is high fashion, not all food has to be high cuisine.
In fact, I agree with SF, that more people need to realize that food preparation should be increasingly embraced by all, regardless of the level of your particular skill. I think everyone should be able to make their own food (and by this I do not mean sticking a frozen puck of food into the microwave). I mean, everyone should know how to roast a chicken or make a basic pasta sauce. How to sautee some vegetables and boil some potatoes.
At one time, not too long ago, most people (women at least) had these simple house hold skills. Today, it's a different world.
__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke
|