Don’t Play With Food – A series

What get’s us up in the morning? What keeps us going throughout the day? What stops us from yelling at our neighbours and throwing chairs at our work-mates? If you said caffeine, you’d be somewhat correct. But the real answer, is FOOD.

In this day and age, food is fashioned into edible masterpieces, presented with delectable condiments and cured to our very specific tastes. But what about those meals you can’t ingest… how can you make food = fun? I am so very glad you asked, allow me to enlighten you.

Inspired by the predecessor workshop: I scream for Ice-cream, and kicked off with our WOAP burger creations, we decided that our next event series theme would be making food playful. Or rather, ‘Don’t Play With Food’. Our first instalment was one of refinement, poise and some obscure, yet yummy tools.

STILL LIFE: Vincent van Gogh had precision with a paintbrush, sure… But could he finesse a celery stick, refine texture with an avocado seed? Maybe, but surely not as well as the participants of ‘Still Life’. We set the scene, and our artists did the rest. As you gaze at the canvas, take a guess at what ground-bound tools they may have used…

We assembled various objects from around the space that the kids had to paint using fruit and vege tool. We re-purposed scraps that were bound for the compost to allow them a chance in the sun before they returned to the earth. Many of the participants were nervous as to whether their artistic abilities would be good enough. But, all of the artists stuck with it long enough to produce beautiful, abstract works ready for their exhibition showcase.

SOFT SCULPTURE: This workshop began with planning out what your favourite meal would look like, whether it was a classic kiwi breakfast, or an elaborate combination of sweet treats. In place of conventional ingredients, participants had to assemble their dinner plate with soft materials, handcrafting each element in a unique and tempting fashion.

We had an expert come in to teach out kids the basic techniques of crochet and knitting – sewing was already in their repertoire from previous induction exercises. Once they had the fundamentals down, they were on their way to serving up a storm. Teams formed, natural talents surfaced and by the end, we had plates filled with all of your essential food groups. We’ve seen this activity become a calming past time for a few of our members and new found appreciation for the older fashion tools amongst our 21st century resources is on the rise.

MINI-FOOD: This workshop began with planning out what your favourite meal would look like, whether it was a classic kiwi breakfast, or an elaborate combination of sweet treats. In place of conventional ingredients, participants had to assemble their dinner plate with soft materials, handcrafting each element in a unique and tempting fashion.

You can see by the images that this workshop took focus and precision. Creations got more and more complex as the kids got more confidence about what they could make. We always encourage members to dream big ad they’re often surprised by what they come up with.

DESIGN A CEREAL: Are you a fruit loops fan? Perhaps a die-hard granola buff? Frankly, we strive for options that are a little more engaging. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not make it the most fun?! Check out the dynamic and extravagant yet practical and refined designs from the final instalment of the ‘Don’t Play With Food’ Series.

Day one of this workshop took us to the supermarket for some research of what made our favourite cereals POP. Kids took notes on colour theory, flavour representation, price differences etc. We then headed back to the studio to access notes and work on what our own cereal boxes might look like. On Day two, we assembled and illustrated boxes with some unique elements: play, games, challenges and fun! Perhaps one day you’ll see them in your local breakfast isle…

All creations from this series will be displayed at the Te Auaha Gallery, open to the public from October 21 – 31 2022. Come along and feast ONLY your eyes… strictly no eating of artwork allowed.