A Final Word

Beauty is often in the eye of the beholder. Some audience members might be moved to tears while attending the opera, while others sitting in the same row are bored to tears. Likely, some of them bring a more educated and knowledgeable appreciation to what they are experiencing, and so the experience is not the same! One’s consciousness brings an important element to any aesthetic experience—including that of a diner or chef.

To take a popular example, think of the “Magic Eye” pictures that appear everywhere from the Sunday comics to best-selling books. If you look at them one way, they’re merely colorful images on paper—not offensive, but arguably not great art, either. But if you know how to look into the picture, it is possible to see an almost magical three-dimensional image. Not everyone can see the 3-D image; it takes knowledge and practice. But the potential to see it is always there. And just because some people can see it and others can’t doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. Similarly, in food, some diners have never had a dining experience that has moved them on the level of art. But those of us who have been so moved know that this potential exists.