The
22nd
Symposium of Australian Gastronomy, 16–19 November 2018.
Female
Orphan School, Western Sydney University, Parramatta.
The
Symposium of Australian Gastronomy aims to bring together a veritable
banquet of specialists, scholars, students and interested
independents from all disciplines—history, anthropology, sociology,
science and technology, writers, educators, artists, food producers
and providors, chefs and industry specialists.
Exploring
themes of identity, culture, gender, socio- and geo-politics and
economics, craftsmanship, alchemy and environment, each Symposium is
characterized by its location and organizing committee. It is the
only symposium in Australia devoted solely to the discussion of
matters related to food, and in particular, gastronomy.
The
Symposium is a ticketed event and all attendees will need to
register to attend. Details will be available at
http://www.gastronomers.net,
where you can subscribe to the mailing list.
The
theme for 2018 is OUT OF PLACE
‘Out
of place’ speaks to locale, to the physical
characteristics—climate, soil, hydrology, landforms, geology
etc.—as well as the cultural, social, economic and political forces
that have shaped food production, distribution and consumption at the
level of place.
‘Out
of place’ can also relate to ‘not of a place’, to not belonging
and to food and foodways that no longer have a place at our tables.
Introduced, and perhaps inappropriate species, customs and tastes, or
newcomers, foreigners, refugees, ‘misfits’ and marginalised
communities, including people who struggle to find their place in
society are also ‘out of place’. This interpretation of ‘out of
place’ is not however always determinedly negative. Some actively
seek to be ‘out of place’, disagreeing with the mores of their
society and so valuing out of place-ness and difference.
On one hand ‘out of place’ relates to home and the
everyday; to tradition and connection; to foods and practices that
are accepted, comforting and comfortable. But the traditional can
also be old fashioned, xenophobic, unimaginative, restrictive and
predictable. Alternatively, ‘out of place’ can conjure the
exotic, the adventurous and challenging, and suggest opportunities,
alternatives and possibilities along with thoughts of dislocation and
disruption, rebellion, pollution, contamination and discomfort.
Max Dingle April 2018
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