ASTRONOMY
to GASTRONOMY
‘CRYSTAL UNIVERSES’
CATALYSTS
Artist and Author: ALETA MICHALETOS 2011
Copyright reserved
Change
is the dominating ingredient as well as an irrevocable and inevitable
consequence of life. Paradoxically, the inhabitants of Mother Earth have on the
one hand, never stopped reeling from these consequences and effects of change,
and on the other hand, the foundation and structure of the Universe remain
unfailingly consistent and solid.
Soon after the
birth of my 4th child and last born in 1986, I became aware of a
sharpened focus on and interest in, that which is not immediately apparent. I
became conscious of the mysterious and subtly veiled enigmas and paradoxes
which saturate our lives and this, resulted in the ‘ALETHEA’ series. http://www.aletamichaletos.com/gallery/Alethea
Then, in 1994,
directly following my reception of the UN Art and Philatelic Award in New York,
a large portion of my creative endeavor was dedicated to the visual exploration
of our ‘parallel Universes’ and these
ideas have been continuously developed through my ‘COSMORGANIC’ http://www.aletamichaletos.com/gallery/Cosmorganic
and 'ECORGANIC’
http://www.aletamichaletos.com/gallery/Ecorganic series.
I attempt to
creatively illuminate that which weaves all particles together – that which
creates the fabric of the Universe, instinctively and subconsciously unraveling
and unveiling the primordial pattern or mold from which all things originate.
The request from
Chantel Dartnall (Restaurant Mosaic) to interpret and visually portray the theme of ‘Salt’ to adorn
the Autumn Menu of Restaurant Mosaic in 2011, acted as the necessary catalyst for yet
another subtle divergence, resulting in the expansion of the scope of my series
which now also includes ‘CRYSTAL UNIVERSES' & 'ICE & SPICE GALAXIES’. This theme will
most probably result in an elaborate series of paintings and drawings.
Initially, I was
filled with bravado as I attempted to conceptualize the crystallization of such
an immense theme as ‘salt’ but I was soon humbled by the vastness of what I was
confronted with. Here I was trying to grasp the ultimate paradox! I was
confronted with that which, if it is not in perfect equilibrium, spells either
life or death.
That which has to
be used in subtle balance and which in overdose acts as an emetic or as
contradiction, (and which is common knowledge) an enhancer of flavor and
palatability! I realized I was merely scratching the surface of the reservoir
of invisible subject matter.
The microscopic
beauty of that, which is initially visible but magically disappears once it is
added to food during the preparation process, as well as its subtle yet immense
power over the ultimate success of the outcome of a dish, has become my point
of focus.
That
is exactly where my interest lies, that which exists and exerts power but is
invisible to the eye.
Now it delights me
to draw your attention to a microscopic view (which I have macroscopically
enlarged) to enable you to also visually and aesthetically appreciate, that
which you can only taste.
Depending on their
symmetry, crystals fall into 7 classifications which create the ‘Crystal
System’ and a ‘Crystal Lattice’, is a network of fixed points about which ions,
atoms or molecules form a crystal vibrate- bejeweled crowns to adorn the heads
of Fairy queens….
These delicate
Universes immediately reminded me of the dainty dishes Chantel Dartnall so carefully
creates, as well as the tiny networks and links in computer
grids…..
I present the aquarelle as a Talisman. It becomes a catalyst for the imagination
to run riot, masquerading as a delicate fishing rod cast into the recesses of
the mind, where tiny shreds and tit bits of secret and stored data is gently coaxed
from their hiding places, to evoke a banquet of images to enrich our senses.
How
can one not but be spirited away by visions of intricate mosaics adorning the
baths of Pompeii,
or of archaic, torn maps and the ancient routes that were followed and by which
salt was transported in exotic, distant lands? We are fascinated by the ground
plans of antiquity which conjures the pyramids, lost temples and shrines where
elaborate dishes were prepared for princes and pashas, or sacrificed to the
gods.
As in
a game of chance, where the dice is thrown or the die is cast, the randomness of
salt crystals scattered, remind one of a miniature version of the
constellations in the Universe. Ingredients are patiently diced and ‘randomly’
arranged on our plates the way an artist would subconsciously mix colors on a
palette.
Autumn is somewhere
between…..
It is in between
Summer and Winter, ranging from the Autumnal Equinox to the Winter Solstice.
and salt?
Its effects range
between bland or zesty,
preservation or
decay.
The pendulum is
gently swaying from Astronomy to Gastronomy….. and back again….
Autumn is a period
of maturity verging on decline… a mood, a whiff of decadence lingering in the
air….
Autumn, also known
as Fall….. evokes images of leaves floating from branches that reach into a
mellow sky and waft down lazily, sinking into the deep mulch covering the
fertile soil and mirrored by the minute quantities of delicate salt crystals
that are measured and sprinkled, scattering like Fairy dust, into the warm
dishes where they dissolve and work their magic, quickening the senses and
taste buds.
Tiny, randomly
scattered dots and spots conjure up the notes on a musical score as well as the
various subtle notes and flavors produced by salt and which it is capable of
eliciting and extracting from ingredients.
The notes suggest
and reveal the characteristics of quality, mood and atmosphere which desire to
be observed with infinite care and indulged in through the pure poetry of the
dining experience. (Aleta Michaletos 2011)
www.aletamichaletos.com
