Japanese artist makes delicious-looking 'food' using craft paper
Food models, commonly seen in the display cabinets of Japanese restaurants, are usually made from plastic or resin. But Japanese Twitter user @meganenooo has shown us that these food models can be made from paper too – specifically washi, a Japanese craft paper.
#画像4枚上げて200rt目指す
和紙でフェイクフードを作っている、
おじいちゃんの作品です。 pic.twitter.com/5mXSVELHn9— メガネのおじいちゃん (作品展＊開催中) (@meganenooo) January 21, 2021
These paper foods — pizza margherita, tempura (fritters), sunny-side-up egg, and salmon bento box — were created by Twitter user @meganenooo’s father. Given washi’s texture and its slightly translucent look, the food models not only look realistic, but also incredibly appealing.
#RTで私を有名にしてください
70歳を過ぎてから暇つぶしで始めた
おじいちゃんの工作です。#和紙#フェイクフード pic.twitter.com/Ct64lwdQiO— メガネのおじいちゃん (作品展＊開催中) (@meganenooo) February 4, 2020
@meganenooo explained that his father, who was in his seventies, started working on these paper foods as a means to kill time. Accompanying the explanation are mouth-watering yet fake Japanese delicacies: hot pot, egg omelette and fried shrimp.
「オムライス」制作動画#和紙#食品サンプル#フェイクフード#ハンドメイド pic.twitter.com/TuOEDG9DQh
— メガネのおじいちゃん (作品展＊開催中) (@meganenooo) April 30, 2020
The old artist creates these food models by using cardboard boxes or paper with similar thickness as a base, and sticking strips of washi on it using glue. He does not add any colour, but instead carefully chooses the washi with the colour that he needs, and stacks the strips to create subtle colour differences. Hidden within this level of commitment is indeed the warmth of a “home-cooked meal”.
#1枚で本物に見えたらRT
今年1番反響のあった「紙」作品です pic.twitter.com/zPErQFgl6w— メガネのおじいちゃん (作品展＊開催中) (@meganenooo) December 14, 2020
His most popular work last year is the takoyaki (octopus balls), which he recreated from what you would usually see when the cook flips the balls over to grill the top side. Interestingly, the art piece replicates the scene as if time has stopped: the left of the takoyaki grill shows the balls that are already flipped, the middle with half-turned balls, while the right is the uncooked batter.
全体はこんな感じ。
たこ焼き器も紙です。
(右半分は穴なし) pic.twitter.com/afgstp3L6X— メガネのおじいちゃん (作品展＊開催中) (@meganenooo) September 3, 2020
Even the takoyaki grill is made from paper!
This washi art was so well-received that there is even a mini exhibition of the paper foods, which is being held in Osaka until 18 February. Over 20 artworks, including unpublished ones, are on display.
If you think realistic but inedible food is not for you, check out these edible miniature foods by a Japanese YouTuber.
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