Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

I would like to explore, in this paper, the performative and ritualistic aspects of gastronomy and sharing meals. Because eating is something we have to do quite often, it is filled with a social function that is very culture dependent. At the same time, in every culture, we find some performative and ritualistic elements associated with eating and sharing a meal.

In this paper, I will interrogate the performative and ritualistic aspects of family meals as well as meals that have a function like a meeting or a reunion. In a second part, I will explore how some chefs articulate that performative dimension either by putting themselves on the stage, or by creating art in the plate. In a third part, I will explore some plays and films which are partly or entirely based on eating and its performative and ritualistic dimensions, including my own work, where the dimension of eating is very often present."

Comments

This article was originally published in p-e-r-f-o-r-m-a-n-c-e, volume 3, in 2016.

Peer Reviewed

1

Copyright

CNRS & ALOHA EDITION

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