Similar to last year's A Day at El Bulli, this volume provides a thought-provoking look into the world of Ferran Adria. This work approaches the topic from the standpoint of food-as-art with the central theme being a modern art exhibit in Kassel, Germany, and Mr. Adria's participation in this hundred-day 'documenta 12'. Two documenta visitors per day were invited to dine at elBulli (nearby in Spain) and record their experience. The bulk of the book is comprised of sample menu pictures and descriptions along with actual attendee feedback. In this fashion, elBulli became one more exhibit in the event, and the feedback is taken as art criticism. The majority of the book (the middle half of the book's 350 pages) is dedicated to the art exhibit, as described. The full contents with page numbers is:
1. Food for thought
..10 All elBulli dishes 1987-2007
..50 Thought for food
..60 A A visit to Ferran Adria's workshop
2. documenta 12
..77 One artist
..78 Ferran Adria's participation in documenta 12
..110 documenta 12 sample menu
..135 Feedback
3. A meal for reflection
..206 Dinner at elBulli 29/07/08
..212 Round table 1
..228 Round table 2
..242 Participants' biographies
4. elBulli. Intrahistory
..266 Creative calendar
..270 Map of elBulli evolutionary analysis
..280 elBulli's philosophy
..282 The 12 key elBulli dishes
..308 Chronology
..320 Time-line for cooking over the last one hundred years
..325 Index of all elBulli dishes 1987-2007
As with the previous volume, this is not a cookbook or a detailed description of Mr. Adria's work. It is very eclectic and thought provoking with a very artistic slant. Interesting pictures, art, and photographs. Highly recommended for what it is as well as for the low price.
No comments:
Post a Comment