During the month of February, the Wexner Center will present a series of films and panel discussions entitled Field & Screen: Films About our Food.
This series gathers together some of the best films about food - from the gleaning culture in France to the worldwide coffee industry - along with education from Local Matters and tastings of fair trade coffee from Global Gallery.
The event kicks off tonight, when a panel will discuss the "many connections between food, art, and culture and how those connections have impacted the local food movement in Ohio and elsewhere." The panel is fantastic, and sure to be full of insight into all facets of the local food movement. It includes Jaime Moore from Wayward Seed, Jeni Britton-Bauer of Jeni's Ice Creams, Amy Bodiker of the Chef's Collaborative, and Michael Mercil, and OSU art professor who has created many installations exploring the relationship between food and art (such as the virtual pasture). Following the panel will be a reception featuring Ohio-made snacks.
The series continues with lots of great food-related films.
One thing that really interests me about this series is that the films chosen aren't all preachy documentaries. I suppose some people might interpret them in that way, but the truth is that the food industry is pretty frightening. Even if you are a hardcore carnivore, it is hard to look at images of assembly (or rather de-assembly) line factories slaughtering animals without feeling that something needs to change.
You can see the full schedule of films and events here.
