KIWI BAKE OFF

A look at the art of cakes, as it was then and is now

1930

A stall at a trade fair probably held in Auckland, showing the cake which won first prize at the New Zealand Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Exhibition. The cake is ornately iced by Thos. Johnstone, pastrycook of Rotorua.

Photograph taken by William A Price.

2020

The Bug Project 2.0 is a continuum to the original Bug Project from 2019, a collaborative project created by Manja Wachsmuth and Fiona Hugues to provoke a conversation about sustainable food sources in the future. It was inspired by the current trend of edible insects on the plate at high-end restaurants and classic Dutch still life paintings, where insects appear among stunning beauty of abundant food and botanical settings revealing a hint of repugnance and decay. A series of food images have been created showing a range of ways that insects could be part of an everyday meal. At a first glance, the food looks like a beautiful and delicious dish that you wouldn’t hesitate to cook at home. A closer look reveals that insects are either part of the recipe or have come to eat your meal before you. This image of the Chocolate Monarchy Cake is part of the second series of this awardwinning project and this cake continues Fiona’s 35-year fascination with hiding winged creatures – the ancient symbols of human souls and love – within various aspects of her work. Early belief is that human souls became butterflies while searching for a new reincarnation and it was thought women became pregnant by swallowing such creatures. This work, made together with Manja, is a nod to the pair’s combined motherhood, art mimicking life, scrambling butterflies swarming around a spiced chocolate cake glistening with ganache that conceals rather wicked chilli heat. So tempting to devour when one is tired, but also slightly sinisterly comical in the plight that would become you if you ate it, butterflies and all.

Food styling & set by Fiona Hugues. Photography & retouching by Manja Wachsmuth