Chicagoist: Play With Your Food

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:04:23 -0600

Oh, I accused myself of being pedantic, earlier, so it's all good. :) Those are fun links. I like the frog-pepper a lot.

matilda

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:57:59 -0600

I'll give you Gaiman, who explores some deep themes. And you are right: That was a sweeping, and therefore unfair, generalization. I should have known better.

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:52:28 -0600

I am more procrastinating than bored. :) I too appreciate well-reasoned debates. I actually would agree with you on most pop music, but graphic novels are a whole 'nother can of worms. Don't know if you're at all familiar with Neil Gaiman, but if you are, I'm not entirely sure how you can sweep through the whole genre in one generalization. Of course, if you are, and you still have, then there is nothing more I can say except interesting to know your point of reference. :)

Stealth

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:41:38 -0600

Oh, I never accused you of being pedantic, but I was commenting on an element of the actual art, not the name of the character it was based on. That being said, on the subject of food as art... Most of these are pretty good except for the dumb sandwich The replication of the Banksy work is amazing

matilda

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:41:33 -0600

Apparently, we are both bored, but I appreciate the reasonable debate and your points, which are all strong and challenge my biases. Just to be clear: The "childish" aspect of it is what I dislike. Then again, I find most comic books and so-called graphic novels to be hopelessly childish, along with most pop music, so you can see the scale I am employing.

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:33:30 -0600

Well, you're welcome to your higher standards. I like challenge and thoughtfulness and seriousness, but I find enough of it in my daily life. Photos of creative bento boxes aren't hurting anyone, and you're more than welcome to pass it by. No, I don't have the talent to even draw a stick figure. But does that mean one should not comment or criticize? Of course not. We're all allowed our opinions. I can't really draw either, or paint, etc. For me, creative expression mostly comes through photography and cooking -- and I do feel a bit more qualified to speak on those subjects, though not overly so. Such a comment about talent seems a bit defensive and beside the point. Well, it may be beside the point, but no defensiveness was intended. It's just that I am somewhat amazed at the time and creativity put into this endeavor, and it delights and impresses me. And I don't have the talent to do it. I have the talent to make dinner and copy edit. I don't know, calling it "childish" seems ultimately unnecessary and "cranky" to me - you don't like it? That's fine. Find it pedestrian and uninspiring? Okay. But the fact that it's not your cup of tea - or box of rice - doesn't really make it childish.

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:25:51 -0600

Hm. Now who's being pedantic. :) Eggs for egg-shaped robots aside, my point remains.

matilda

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:11:18 -0600

Fair enough, but will all the distraction out there, all the superficial stuff that passes for culture, all the decoration that occupies our time, I'd prefer more serious art and less objects, like these objects, that basically aspire toward kitsch. I prefer higher standards. Being entertained is fine, but being challenged in your mind and heart is much better and much more useful. We have too much distraction and silly entertainment in our culture already. Why on earth add to the junk heap? No, I don't have the talent to even draw a stick figure. But does that mean one should not comment or criticize? Can one talk about music if one cannot read notes or play? Can one bitch about politicians if one has never run for office or managed a budget? Such a comment about talent seems a bit defensive and beside the point.

Stealth

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:56:59 -0600

And I don't see how using food as an art medium is childish either -- do you have the talent to do that? Yeah, like, how would the artist know to use an egg for a character that basically looked like an... uh.... egg.

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:56:40 -0600

Serious art. That's funny. Since when does art have to be serious or thoughtful? I mean, I don't want to get into a long discussion of what art is or should be, but ... let's just say art is many things to many people. And I don't think this is claiming to be art, anyway. It's just a fun, creative diversion.

matilda

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:30:55 -0600

Didn't say a thing about WALL-E. And I am sure this creative effort requires talent and dedication--for one thing, the artist must figure out the relationship between the colors. But it is still the elevation of the childish--playing with one's food--to the serious, adult and artistic. The photos do delight the eyes, but I find little evidence of any serious artistic thought, and nothing that challenged my views of the world, or of food, or of anything else, which is what serious art must do. This, I think, is merely just interesting decoration--perhaps that is the intention, in which case, job well done. Many artists manage to be childlike (not childish) in order to produce serious, thoughtful art. This, not so much. What can I say? I'm a cranky old man (not really old in age, but still ... )

Stealth

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:21:25 -0600

LOL at matilda. Yeah, what you said...

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:21:13 -0600

Jacy: Thanks :) I can't help it, I'm a copy editor and proofreader. Heh. Happy new year! Matilda: Have you SEEN WALL-E? It's not childish. Far from it. And I don't see how using food as an art medium is childish either -- do you have the talent to do that? It's hardly colored macaroni on construction paper.

Jacy Wojcik

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:10:29 -0600

that_girl: Thanks for the info, I appreciate pedantry. And yes! It's so cute and creative. matilda: happy new year!

matilda

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:00:35 -0600

What's next: A mashed-potato rendition of Devil's Tower? More evidence of how the hopelessly childish has been elevated to the artistic in our culture.

that_girl

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:56:37 -0600

LOVE it. So cute and creative. However, not to be too pedantic, but it's EVE, not Eva. WALL-E "says" her name "Ev-uh" because he's a cute little robot and mispronounces it, but it's EVE. (WALL-E should be in all caps, too, if I am continuing the pedantry.)