Getting a taste of the landscape
Here’s a new concept: don’t just admire the landscape, eat it too.
Matiu/Somes Island is getting an edible makeover as part of the upcoming event, Taste Arcade, where food and art will mix.
Taste Arcade manager and designer Caitlin Le Harivel will be using almost 3 litres of fizzy elderflower jelly to create a large, illuminated version of Matiu/Somes Island in Jelly Lands. People are invited in to come in, carve up and eat the signature Wellington landscape.
‘‘Food is such a great way to get people engaged,’’ Le Harivel said.
‘‘Everyone has to eat, it’s a fundamental necessity, you can’t escape that. But it’s so much more than just survival. It connects us to other people, connects us to our rituals, our culture, our history.’’
Among the jelly islands there will also be meals served with tales of illegal border crossings, signature cocktails and special dishes from waterfront restaurants.
Taste Arcade co-ordinator Anna Cacace is working on two pieces for the event: an individual piece called Sky Salad, based around attendees making a salad – with a bit of a twist – and a collaborative piece with her dad, centred around making pasta.
‘‘For me, I get excited about the idea of bringing people together at the table. The table is the central part. The food is the art and the people come together to create the art,’’ Cacace said.
Alongside the food performances, people can visit more than a dozen culinary partners for special dishes and drinks.
Taste Arcade is making its debut this year as part of the Performance Arcade, an annual art and performance festival.
The festival will be back this year from February 21 to March 3, with a signature pink line running from Oriental Bay to the Railway Station for people to follow for art and food.
Most of the events at the arcade will be free. For details, visit theperformancearcade.com.