HSOC-167: TAMA: Cultural Explorations

In conjunction with the Pacific Rim 8 Studio "Influencing Dining: California Lifestyle," this class will explore different cultural histories and relationships between art, design, and food in the social, political, and diverse cultural contexts of Los Angeles and the US. It will feature artists working with food ecologies, including: Leslie Labowitz and her Sproutime project, from 70s performance to a major organic food business; the social practice of L.A. collective Fallen Fruit; and the philosophy and aesthetics of Gordon Matta-Clark's FOOD restaurant in 1970s NYC. We will take two field trips: one to the Sunday morning service at the African-American AME Church, including a soul food meal; another to Latino East Los Angeles in conjunction with our examination of the politics and history of latinos and food production. We will also look at the Persian diaspora in LA and its culinary culture, show films and videos, and hold a special Thanksgiving Feast and discuss its evolution. Art Center's Pacific Rim students are encouraged to participate along with TAMA students.