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

This book explores how time, space, and social atmospheres shape the experience of taste, combining material, sensual, and symbolic atmospheres and social encounters. It emphasizes the role of psycho-social histories, memories, migration, trauma, and displacement in the experience of we eat and drink, challenging the sense of taste as static. It appeals to students of sociology, human geography, tourism and leisure studies, anthropology, psychology, arts and literature, architecture, and urban design.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating exploration delves into the intricate interplay of time, space, and social atmospheres, shedding light on the profound impact they have on the intricate experience of taste. Through a comprehensive examination of complex combinations of material, sensual, and symbolic atmospheres, as well as social encounters, the book unveils the intricate tapestry that shapes this sensory journey. 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 lively debate about how urban designers, architects, and market producers manipulate the experience of taste through the creation of specific atmospheres.

Furthermore, the book delves into the fascinating variations in the experience of taste across different stages of life and even during fleeting social encounters, challenging the notion of taste as a static and unchanging phenomenon. By venturing beyond conventional narratives that suggest taste is merely acquired or developed, the book 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.

Rather than relying solely on psychological and neuroscientific conceptualizations of taste, the book explores the deep-rooted social dimensions of class, value, and distinction that intertwine with the experience of taste in intricate and profound ways. It sheds light on the ways in which social hierarchies, cultural norms, and economic inequalities shape our taste preferences and consumption practices, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the sensory realm.

With its engaging writing style and interdisciplinary approach, Space, Taste, and Affect appeals to a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate students, including those studying sociology, human geography, tourism and leisure studies, anthropology, psychology, arts and literature, architecture, and urban design. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners seeking to unravel the complex dynamics that shape our experiences of taste, offering insights into the social, cultural, and material factors that contribute to this sensory phenomenon.

Weight: 360g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367547639