6.15.2007

making up for lost time

"And I return to you now, at the turn of the tide."
~Gandalf the White


rice_cake_collage

So, we're moving away from the rich Technicolor masterpieces to the parsimoniously humble rice cake (白糖糕). I just dug the empty package out of the trashcan, and apparently there are only four ingredients: sugar, rice flour, water, and baking soda. Well, it seems I just ate a few jellified blocks of sugar water with cold tea. Delicious actually, in case there were any doubts.

Sugar rice cakes are also surprisingly well suited as modern art. It feels resilient and appears alien (with a touch of the organic look); everything modern design should be. For example, it functions as a runner on a coffee table; beautifully white and strange on the polished black surface. Or perhaps a lacy curtain, much better than that flimsy laser cut stuff (it's bouncy mattress-like qualities cushions you if you ever happen to fall into it). Also, why not a jelly bracelet, a pure white band perforated with shadows. Really, they should sell this stuff at MoMA.

Oh, but it is also a useful substitute for an agar plate, in case anyone wanted to culture some bacteria at home. I once found some very interesting yellow patches after letting it sit out for three days.

Yes, endless amusement, and delicious to boot. I picked it up at the grocery store on Argyle St. for old times sake. I was actually there for the banh mi sandwiches, but that's a rant for another day.