COVID-19 has motivated many people to push their creativity to a whole new level. While being in quarantine with not much to do, artists are becoming quite innovative and generating new ideas in order to stay creative and entertained.
Manami Sasaki, a Tokyo-based designer and artist, may have taken the gold medal for most imaginative. She is transforming her morning breakfast toast into works of art.
Currently, her choices of mediums look more like a grocery list rather than art supplies. She has used anything and everything; squid ink, radishes, carrots, paprika, mayonnaise, cod roe, and even edible gold leaf.
“Does she eat the toast?” is one of the first questions that could come to mind for anyone who stumbles across her Instagram page @sasamana1204. Sasaki says when the bread gets toasted, “that’s the moment when the toast changes from a work of art to breakfast.” It makes the transition to beautiful art on a unique canvas to a beautiful, edible, and delicious breakfast. She will also often rave about how great the toast tastes after a careful explanation of the background and inspiration behind the breakfast of the day.
Sasaki has pushed the boundaries and created new techniques by experimenting with colours, shapes, textures, and dimensions. Looking through the different pieces she has created, you will be able to see these techniques put to work. One being the gradation of height using blueberries that creates a unique perspective. Another toast, representing a Japanese rock garden, using macadamia nuts as 3D rocks placed on top of the surface of the toast. Finally, among many other techniques, chevron patterns showcasing the subtle different colours of broccoli sprouts.
Her’s art has tapped into all sorts of inspiration and different art styles. Influences include anything from ukiyo-e to American comics, from cubism to movie posters, even reaching Disney. It seems as though inspiration truly is everywhere: from pop culture to art history.
Emma Pilon of Setting Mind interviews Sasaki to learn more.
Pilon: What about bread makes it so appealing as a canvas?
Sasaki: When baked, the toast transforms from a work of art into food. Enjoying the changes in the shapes and colors of the ingredients along with the savory aroma of the toast is the charm of bread art.
What I value in toast art is to use the original charm of the ingredients to complete the art. The freshness of the ingredients is important to maintain the beauty of the color and shape. I systematically use the refrigerator to create my work. I also don’t use food coloring or process everything into a paste.
Because I think it should be done with paint. I am aware that the motifs I use are ingredients before they are art. I choose my food combinations based on the assumption that they will be delicious. Because I believe that eating well is my responsibility in using food.
What is the most surprising ingredient you have used to create your amazing toast art?
I’ve used a variety of ingredients in the past, but the squid ink and bonito flakes powder went really well with toast. I use a pasta product for the squid ink. The flavor and aroma of the squid ink soaks into the toast I bake, and it tastes great.
I use dried bonito flakes powder to represent washi paper. It’s interesting because it gives it a fibrous atmosphere. It’s an amazing ingredient that turns toast into Japanese food and makes me want to drink miso soup with the toast.
How long does it usually take to complete a piece?
From deciding on a theme to eating, it takes at least three hours. I decide on a theme the night before, do the shopping and prep work. I want to start work at 9:30 am on the day, so I often get up around 5 am.
What has your reaction been to your quickly growing audience?
The majority of my followers are outside of Japan, and I’m very happy to be able to communicate with them. I would be happy to introduce Japanese culture, Japanese food, and the way of thinking of one Japanese person through toast art.
What is your favourite piece you have done? Is there one in particular that comes to mind?
They are all favorites, but zen-garden and The blueberry gradient are two of my favorites.
zen-garden is my favorite Japanese culture. People from all over the world imitate this toast, which makes me happy. Also, this toast is what brought my toast art to the attention of the public.
The blueberry gradient is my original theme. It represents a gradation of height, with the blueberries gradually getting lower and lower in height. I thought of a way to express the appeal of the ingredients.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
All images in this article are courtesy of Manami Sasaki.
