form v. function

when i was twelve and took family studies, i had to prepare a recipe at home and my parents had to mark it. my dad's only criticism of my brownies was the presentation. by contrast, my christmas eve appetizer plates were pretty enough, but didn't feel... warm.

come to think of it, most (of my) comfort foods aren't all that lovely to look at: chilis, stews, mamalia (cornmeal), sarmale (cabbage rolls), mashed potatoes. even classier things like risotto don't attract the eye.

prof. mealey once implied that the trend toward clean lines and metal/glass combos in home furnishings betrayed our society's departure from vulnerability and embrace of sterile interactions. we want our homes to look like pristine palaces, far from the human stain.

i smell a false dichotomy between form and function.

i want to hope that things can offer both comfort and beauty. because maybe then i can aspire to both, too.