Eat Love Budapest, Marije Vogelzang

Marije Vogelzang is a pioneer of “eating design”. She is a graduate of the Design Academy in Eindhoven and owner of Proef — a restaurant, gallery and studio rolled into one. She is also storyteller; a kind of gastronomical genealogist, if you will. She examines the psychological, sociological and environmental ramifications of how we eat, with whom we break bread, where our food comes from and how it affects the environment. Vogelzang’s edible architecture is not only sustainable, it is also performative. Each exhibition is meant to awaken the sense and stir the soul. She seeks to situate food within the greater context of our lives; as  ritual, as nourishment, as memory and as a gateway to a delectable future.

Above image and text from Trend Tablet

Philosophy

"Eating design is to design from the verb 'to eat'.”

Designers who work with the subject of food are often called 'food designers'. According to Marije Vogelzang, food is already perfectly designed by nature. Instead, her designs focus around the verb 'to eat'. Vogelzang is inspired by the origin of food and the preparation, etiquette, history and culture around it. For this reason, she doesn't consider herself a 'food designer', but as the first 'eating designer' in The Netherlands. 

"There is no material that comes as close to human beings as food."

It is often thought that designers who work with food only design the shape of it. Vogelzang's aim is to look at the content and background of the food as well; the shape is just a tool to tell a story. 

"You put my designs inside your body." 

After 10 years of experience with food projects, Vogelzang has developed a philosophy consisting of eight inspirational points. They can be used as a tool to inspire designers and creatives about food. Eating design is a uncultivated area with an endless amount of possibilities. The eight point philosophy gives insight into where the possibilities of working with food can lead. 

"Food goes to the stomach, but it can also activate the brain and can rouse strong memories and emotions."

The eight points are:

- the senses

- nature

- culture

- society

- technique

- psychology

- science

- action

Above text taken from artist website. Link here to watch an interview with the artist.