Japan House London showcases a range of hyperrealistic food models as a part of the Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan's Food Replica Culture exhibition. The display features the history of food replicas in Japanese culture, which is known to be the food samples or 'shokuhin sampuru' in Japanese. This has been rooted in the culture for as far back as 1923 and is still prominent.
The replicas are scale models of the meals and it is crafted by craftspeople for the various eateries to advertise the dishes. DIrector of programming at Japan House London Simon Wright explains the the details and bright hues are meant to bring attention to how delicious the food is.
Wright shares, "Even though the materials are different, ultimately, it hasn't really changed. The process is exactly the same, explaining that real food has always been used to create the moulds. "It's quite analogue. It's all handcrafted – there are no conveyor belts and automation. That means that there's a versatility to making food replicas. Any restaurant or food establishment can have what it wants. So maybe your hamburger is just a little bit fatter than the one next door – you can give the craftspeople your fat hamburger, and they will make an exact replica of that."
Image Credit: Japan House London
What's Driving This Trend
- Hyperrealistic Art
- Hyperrealism in art is amplifying visual experiences through lifelike depictions, influencing future exhibitions.
- Cultural Preservation
- Showcasing traditional craftsmanship in modern installations provides a unique avenue for preserving and venerating historical techniques.
- Analog Craftsmanship
- Maintaining handcrafted methods in a digital age highlights the enduring value and versatility of analog creation.
Who This Affects Most
- Art and Exhibitions
- Art exhibitions integrating hyperrealistic models offer immersive cultural experiences, enticing broader audiences.
- Tourism and Cultural Heritage
- Cultural heritage tourism can be enriched by displays that vividly resurrect traditional practices.
- Food and Hospitality
- The food and hospitality industry can uniquely market their offerings through customized, visually engaging replicas.
