In French, the term cuisine covers both the action of preparing food (cooking) and the room where this is transformed (kitchen); gesture and place, one defining the other. Cooking and the place for cooking have become media focuses, to the point where they have become the stage for TV entertainment. Previously handed down privately from generation to generation and from master to pupil in the professional sphere, the gestures involved in cooking are now cross-disciplinary, almost cross-fire subjects for communication, with an ever-growing, enthusiastic audience. Symposia, blogs, demonstrations, books, programmes and shows dealing with cooking are blossoming everywhere. Increasing attention is paid to making the message efficacious.
When transforming food, aesthetics do away with the borders between places of production and places of tasting, and change the architecture of homes or restaurants, by placing the preparation in the centre of the dining room.
The table increasingly imposes itself as a cultural place. Consumption enhances and diversifies gestures, postures and instruments.
Although eating and taste remain the main driving forces behind cooking, other cultural and visual aspects (in the media sense) help enrich the experience.
The aim of this symposium is to measure the scope of thought in this field and build a link between body arts, performing arts and cuisine, thereby proposing an analysis of contemporary practices to provide insight into culinary design.
Historians, philosophers, sociologists, anthropologists, architects, designers, visual artists, scenographers, dancers, actors, film-makers or producers are invited to convey the scope of their research in a 20-minute talk or contribution.
Proposals and subjects are to be forwarded by surface mail or e-mail to Reims ESAD before the 15 July 2010.
+33 (0)3 26 35 36 40
ESAD de Reims, 12 rue Libergier, 51100 Reims
Symposium under the scientific management of culinary designer Marc Brétillot and Claire Peillod, Director of ESAD, and in partnership with the Manège de Reims, Scène Nationale.
