Space, Taste and Affect: Atmospheres That Shape the Way We Eat

This book is an exploration of how time, space and social atmospheres contribute to the experience of taste. It demonstrates complex combinations of material, sensual and symbolic atmospheres and social encounters that shape this experience.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating exploration delves into the intricate interplay between time, space, and social atmospheres, shedding light on the profound impact they have on the very essence of taste. Through a comprehensive examination of complex combinations of material, sensual, and symbolic atmospheres, as well as social encounters, the author vividly demonstrates how these elements shape and mold our sensory experiences. Space, Taste, and Affect brings together a diverse range of case studies from the fields of sociology, geography, history, psycho-social studies, and anthropology, engaging in a thoughtful exploration of debates surrounding how urban designers, architects, and market producers manipulate the experience of taste through the creation of specific atmospheres. Moreover, the book delves into the fascinating phenomenon of how the experience of taste evolves and changes throughout our lives, even during fleeting social encounters, challenging the notion of taste as a static and unchanging entity. By venturing beyond conventional narratives that suggest taste is merely acquired or developed, the author emphasizes the role of psycho-social histories, including nostalgia, memories of childhood, migration, trauma, and displacement, in shaping our perceptions and preferences when it comes to food and drink. Instead of relying solely on psychological and neuroscientific conceptualizations of taste, the book explores the deep-rooted social dimensions of class, value, and distinction, recognizing the intricate connections between taste, sensuous practices of consumption, and the broader experience of taste in profound and multifaceted ways.

This book is a valuable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students pursuing studies in sociology, human geography, tourism and leisure studies, anthropology, psychology, arts and literature, architecture, and urban design. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex dynamics that shape our sensory experiences, providing insights into the role of space, taste, and social atmospheres in shaping our lives and cultures.

Weight: 442g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138234260