We are what we eat
Nyotaimori, often referred to as "body sushi", is the Japanese practice of serving sashimi or sushi from the naked body of a woman. Nantaimori is the male equivalent. The Japanese practice of nyotaimori – serving sushi on a naked body – is said to have its origins in the samurai period in Japan.
Barbie plates for presenting hotpot meat
Film still from Li An's movie" Eat Drink Man Woman" This is what I think best represents how food being so important in Chinese culture. In Li An’s film, the father who is a formal chef can prepare wonderful feast for his family especially his children, but what more important is the conversation on the table that means to the father.
In the movie “Red Sorghum” by YImo Zhang, there is one scene particularly plant in my head:
When the peasants are gathered to fight Japanese intruders, the female main character prepared a big feast with Red sorghum wine. The color was so strong. And knowing the tragedy waiting for them, the feast seems meaningless yet it also means inside their mind they are not prepared to come back.
So I guess I’m trying to say is that feast scene can mean so different from story to story. The meaning behind food is complex and enriched with culture elements.
Martin Parr’s “Real Food” photographed foods from all over the world during his travels, from hot dogs to candy and meat pies. He uses close up photographs to uncover the statement of “we are what we eat”. However as an audience grew up in China, I kept thinking about” is this what you call real food?” When I first saw these images.I would like to contribute to a conversation when someone with western culture background says:” is this what you call real food?”
“The images are essentially my view of the world. This is very subjective and I use language as a photographer to create it. I am happy to let people find their own agendas in my work and they can either take or leave my interpretations. But I am very fortunate—a lot of people seem to also take my viewpoint.” Martin Parr