So I had no plans and decided to take random walks along the streets leading Estacion Lesseps to the main street of Passeig de Gracia. I tried to take the smaller lanes to see the neighbourhood and walked along Carrer de Verdi. Many little intricate indie shops selling all different things, no big names and I just love discovering the different fashion, lifestyle products and crafts that this beautiful gothic city has to offer. Contemclassion: So this is the word I came up with to describe this observation I made of the creative scene of Spain in particular what I saw in Barca. A mix of contemporary, decorated by intricacies, backed by classical art, and topped up with passion. It's so eclectic and distinct that I can't and do not observe the same anywhere else. They seem somewhat so advanced in their conceptualising of all things creative.
So the amble amongst indie slowly brought me to mainstream where I hit Passeig de Gracia and passed by Palau Robert the Information Centre for Catalonia. It brought me to a free exhibit of ...
Having been a 2-month involuntary housewife, this exhibit couldn't have been more apt. I was blown over by how well presented it is and all that is 'gratis', favourite word for a traveller on a dime. It talked about the history of El Bulli, the world-acclaimed restaurant overlooking Cala Montjoy, the love story behind it, the paraphernalia, the menus over the years and some dated pictures and the success of Ferran Adria.
I was overwhelmed by the different techniques they experimented with for making food and took culinary to a whole new level. I have heard of applications of food science and through this exhibit I see even more than that. I see art behind the creation of something so possibly mundane as cooking.
I always love it when people could marry Art and Science together so seamlessly and here I see it so clearly.
So then they came up with this Creativity Framework, that made me go "Oh no frameworks again" (studied this in business school and seeing it in an exhibit about food just made me cringe). Nonetheless, interesting to see how they try to conceptualise the art of making food and the revolutionising of the eating experience.
They showed exciting videos of the different techniques of Sferificación, Gelificación, Emulsificación...
Spherification causes the formation of a membrane and when you cut through the membrane the insides oozes out in a fluid texture.
Pina colada served like a candy floss.
Cosmopolitan in a marshmallow form.
Caiprinha not in a glass.
Have you ever been served soup that was solid. So I thought cold soup was the most extreme I could go...
This is interesting. Two textures on the same prawn. So simple yet so clever...
They also had this table where they projected two people having a meal where a waiter would introduce the dishes served and you could somewhat "feel" what they were eating, downside, you can't taste it...
They had this three-panel screen showing you glimpses of what goes on in the kitchen of El Bulli all summarised into five minutes.
Amazing Amazing Amazing.
I always knew cooking was more than just making food to keep one from being hungry. But this exhibit allowed me to appreciate the Art of Culinary even more than before.
I would definitely want to make a visit there after it's two year hiatus in 2014. El Bulli here I come...
