September 4 2002
“Edible Education’
The Clock Tower Library Lectures
in association with the Centre for Continuing Education, The University of Auckland
Food is a quintessential element of human existence. A new lecture series organised by The Clock Tower Library at The
University of Auckland will examine the historical, cultural, artistic, scientific and culinary aspects of food. The
series will run from Thursday 12 September to Thursday 17 October and is open to the public.
The lecture series will be accompanied by an exhibition of an illustrated book, “Cornucopia’. Produced by a variety of
chefs and artists, it contains a collection of fourteen original lithographs celebrating six traditional culinary
dishes.
Library books relating to food will be available at The Clock Tower Library, and can be viewed at:
Clock Tower Library Resources: http://www.auckland.ac.nz/lbr/conted/booklists/food.htm
The series includes four lectures in September and October, which each take place from 7.30-9.00pm on Thursday evenings:
12 September Why Italians Eat Pasta and Swedes Eat Herrings: 8000 Years of European Cuisine
Mike Hanne, BA(Oxford)
People in every country (and many provinces and districts) of Europe are strongly attached to their own cuisine. What
people eat, how they prepare food and drink, how and when they eat, and what they refuse to consume, all play a major
role in defining national and communal identity. This lecture explores some of the factors, including climate, patterns
of agriculture and human contact, religion, and the building of overseas empires, which have shaped the dietary and
culinary habits of Europeans over the centuries.
19 Septemberƒn More Than Just a Meal: The Symbolism of Food in Renaissance and Baroque Art
Mary Kisler, MA
This lecture will consider the important role that food played in art from the 14th to the 17th centuries, beginning
with religious symbolism and then moving through to the more complex readings of the later period. Food symbolism can
often be read as metaphors for particular societies, with references to gender, politics and power placed alongside a
growing desire for locating food within a wider order of things. Within this frame, the succulent peach on a plate may
do more than simply tempt one's taste buds.
10 October The Alchemy of Food.
Glynn Christian
Glynn Christian, food journalist and author, explores pseudo-scientific alchemy and how its aim to create treasure from
dross is relevant to today’s food and cookery. Although chefs and cooks are neither scientists nor artists, they do
somehow combine both disciplines. A cook can magically transform the mundane into the celestial. The conclusion will be
drawn that what appears to be art in cookery is actually skilful science. The greater skill is convincing diners they
are dining from the palette of an artist or the crucibles of an alchemist.
17 October New Zealand's Culinary Heritage
Ray McVinnie, MA
This lecture traverses New Zealand’s culinary heritage and examines the current state of New Zealand food. What are the
major food trends in New Zealand? What are the influences? Do we have our own modern cuisine? In fact, why is food in
general so popular today? Join chef and food writer, Ray McVinnie, to find out.
Event: Edible Education
The Clock Tower lecture series, in association with the Centre for
Continuing Education, The University of Auckland
Venue: Old Government House Lecture Theatre, The University of Auckland
Dates: 12 September, 19 September, 10 October, 17 October 2002
Time: 7.30-9.00pm
Cost: $15 per lecture, or $50 for the series
Contact: Centre for Continuing Education
The University of Auckland
09 373 7599 ext 7831/7832