Blog 6: Food and Identity

Image: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/04/28/10/27DA0B1400000578-3050116-Taking_a_good_food_picture_for_Instagram_requires_thought_planni-a-12_1430212889456.jpg

Blog 6: Food and Identity

Food plays a significant role in social media, particularly on the networking platform of Instagram. According to Kuttainen (2015): “Food is not just food.” Whilst this appears to be an obvious statement, what isn’t obvious is the power that food has in constructing individual and community identities. Food represents an important expression of our identity, as individuals as well as in reference to a broader ethnic, class or religious grouping (Atkins and Bowler, 2001).

The uploading of food photography on Instagram has not only created a world-wide trend, but is responsible for making clear distinctions between socio-economic groups in society. When utilising food photography on Instagram users are indicating to their friends their ideas of prestige in regards to food (Kuttainen, 2015). The poor cannot afford to eat well (Patel, 2007), which means that food photography on Instagram is determinant in distinguishing wealth and identity. In particular, consumption of exotic food is a way of establishing distinctions between social groups (Atkin and Bowler, 2001). For example, users that upload images of exotic and expensive meals are exhibiting an identity of wealth and power.

Food photography on Instagram is also responsible for transforming professional cooking, indicating that Instagram holds significant power over not only the virtual world, but the real world. There are also specific accounts that are purely for food lovers; they include recipes and cooking tips. These accounts can be willingly followed by a user, which gives users the power of choice; users create their own Instagram feed based on other users that they follow.

Food photography is playing a major role in creating the Instagram community identity; almost every user uploads images of their favourite cuisine. Little do users know of the power of the food photography they upload; images of food shape the virtual and real community and explore the relationships between power and wealth.

References:

Kuttainen, V. (2015). BA1002: Our space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, week 8 notes [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu/jcu.edu.au

Patel, R. (2007). Introduction. Stuffed and starved: markets, power and the hidden battle for the world food system (pp.1-19). Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au

Atkins, P., & Bowler, I. (2001). The origins of taste. Food in society: economy, culture, geography (pp. 273-295). Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au