Fading Culture | WEST • EAST

Globalization homogenizes cultures. It is easier for people to understand others by benefiting from its product. In fact, without globalization, I would not be in Canada and notice how much globalization affects our lives. I feel that every cuisine communicates the epitome of one culture because people learn cooking skills from generation to generation. Exploring the similarities and differences of cuisines can demonstrate what is fading through globalization. As an international student, I live in China and Canada. It is an interesting way to see how Chinese culture has been shown in Canada and how Canadian culture has been seen outside of this country. I would like to use Chinese cuisine as an example to reflect the similarities and differences between the cuisines in China and the ones in Canada. There are eight cuisines in China: Lu, Chuan, Yue, Su, Min, Zhe, Xiang and Hui. Each of them reflects the regional cultural identity. By experiencing the cuisine, tasting it, seeing the colour of the food, and using chopsticks, you can feel the personalities in that region. I also hope to visually communicate the stories, spirits and philosophy behind culture, which could show where and what has been lost in culture.