Feast for the Eyes explores the rich history of food as one of photography’s most prevalent and enduring subjects. In an age where sharing images of food has emerged as a unique facet of contemporary culture, this exhibition offers a look at the timeless ways in which things we eat shape us and our perceptions of the world.
Featuring works by some of the most important artists of the past century, the presentation includes Nobuyoshi Araki, Nan Goldin, Rinko Kawauchi, Vik Muniz, Martin Parr, Irving Penn, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Stephen Shore, Wolfgang Tillmans, Andy Warhol, Weegee, and many more. The exhibition foregrounds their images within a history of artistic, commercial, fashion, and science photography, providing an unexpected and remarkable survey of food’s central role in our lives.
The exhibition is organized across three key themes. “Still Life” examines how food is prepared for visual consumption, a long-standing art genre that continues to evolve over time. “Around the Table” investigates the social dynamics of eating, calling attention the rituals of cultural identity that unfold around the sharing and providing of food. The final section, “Playing with Food”, observes the role of food in performance and play, infusing food photography with humour and irony.
Feast for the Eyes is produced by the Aperture Foundation and curated by Susan Bright and Denise Wolff.
Complementing the exhibition are a series of artist- and chef-led activities, lectures, and culinary events centered on themes of community, nutrition, and food sourcing. This show runs to May 30, 2021. Times vary.
