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When
Carving Artistry and Food Styling Comes
Together
 Though
Bali is only a tiny island spreading out
on land measuring some 5,561 sq km (2,148
sq miles), it has endless culture and beautiful
nature to explore. Its people are known
to be so religious. Another inseparable
thing of theirs is that Hindu religion and
the art go hand in hand. Their oblations
are not only in the form of material offerings
but also whole-hearted presentation of various
kinds of art.
One of those arts playing an important role
in their religious life is carving. You
can observe by yourself that carving has
been moderately familiar as displayed along
the compound wall of the temple, split gate,
base of shrines, house or village meeting
hall. As if those carvings would like to
re-tell the sacred story adopted from their
scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharata
epics. By doing so, they will be always
reminded of their significant philosophical
meaning. Both have given unlimited inspirations
to the artists, not only the carvers but
also those of other art domains.
Development of tourism business has driven
rapid growth on the progress of local economy
and other sectors. This also assuredly encourages
the domain of carving where many building
constructions and wooden handicrafts need
this expertise. In the meantime, many young
carvers keep on appearing in numbers, either
those with naturally-born skilful artisans
or fresh graduates from art vocational high
school.
Is it possible for the art of carving and
the food expertise to have a rendezvous?
Of course, in most cases it gives birth
to new artists. They can do such carvings
on cakes or the ‘neighbour’
of fruits or vegetables like melon, watermelon,
papaya, carrot, cucumber and so forth. At
the hand of creative kitchen artists, these
fruit can become a magnificent carving.
Presentation of food with the alluring backdrop
of fruit carvings will add to the splendour
of dining ambience. It is not only meant
to generate the appetite, but also pamper
the mind with ‘a savoury art’,
as the tongue needs to savour food, in the
same manner, the mind also requires its
own nourishment. When both come together
and feel satisfied it means the food gives
really an unforgettable moment of eating
experience.
 Last
but not least, such garnish or ornamentation
can help give a highlight on the local art
diversity. This art, combining the food
styling and carving artistry, can come in
a good medium for tourism promotion to draw
the culinary adventurers. Fruit carving
as this is regularly put into competition
during the Food Festival in conjunction
with the annual Bali Arts Festival and other
food events on this island. (BTN/029)
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