Ingest : your garden.

Abstract

To its most primal core, a food provides nourishment. However, I believe that recent perceptions of food are more than just for ‘filling up our stomachs’ - food also fuels us emotionally. It has taken on the role of a meaning maker. From how it is presented to how it is ‘directed’ to be consumed, food comes to represent certain notions when viewed through cultural contexts. This is especially so when meals are concerned, since it involved the preparation and presentation of food. A meal is also a focal point to gather and commune. Coupled with specific eating rituals, it evolves into a marker of identity that allows society to understand more about their culture. Food thus becomes a communication tool.

This project aims to explore the usage of locally grown food (and meals) as a communication tool and an identity marker to raise awareness on Singapore’s culture. In doing so, we hope that it will encourage Singaporeans to explore and share their own national identities and take pride in their local culture by bonding together over an eating experience.