As early as the mid 16th century, the Italian artist Giuseppe Arcimboldo created portraits of people by painting fruits, vegetables, and other foods arranged in the likeness of his subject. In the mid 20th century, the precursor to the toy Mr. Potato head was invented. Small face and body parts were made to be stuck into apples, zucchini, potatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Eventually, a plastic potato was included with the toy set. Generations later Mr. Potato Head continues to be popular with children, inspiring them to think of food creatively. Traditionally, we use foods such as carrots and raisins to decorate the face of a snow man. Then in the fall, for Halloween children in United States hollow out and carve pumpkins, to make what are known as jack-o-lanterns.
Musicians such a the Youtube user heita3 from Setouchi, Japan have created working instruments out of squash, carrots, melons and more. Watch some of his videos below:
Carrot Pan-flute "Moon On The Ruined Castle"(Koujou no Tuki)
Cucumber trumpet "March of bee"
Big Broccoli Ocarina:Angels We Have Heard On High
There are also videos on Youtube that personify food. For example, here is a vintage Sesame Street clip.
This video features "The Annoying Orange."
The book Food Play, by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers is an extraordinary example of how food can be used to create art. This book is great to set on your coffee table, and is a true conversation piece. In this collection of photographs there is no narrative, only colorful portrayals of food that has been carved and arranged to represent animals, settings, and characters. The range of emotions rendered are astonishing. When my child was a baby and just learning about expressions and changing moods, he was mesmerized by the dramatic faces which are sculpted into familiar foods. Children of all ages are interested in these silly scenarios, such as a fierce pumpkin gobbling up a tiny frightened mouse, or a surprised orange that swallows a fly made from a blueberry. A favorite scene of mine depicts a hot air balloon made from a radish and squash flying past an onion and asparagus Taj Mahal. This book is a true tour de force.
Food Play, by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers
350 pages
Chronicle Books, San Francisco (2006)
If any of these ideas inspire you to create a food masterpiece with your kids, make use of those carved up edibles. You can reuse your creations in a stew or fruit salad. Bon appetite!
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