In this category, one of the most recurrent images is the cup of tea – a drink deeply rooted in many Asian cultures.
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The cups themselves often hint at the personality behind them: a dog-lover’s mug, a disposable paper cup for life on the go, a plastic takeaway cup, or a handcrafted ceramic piece with ethnic motifs. Each vessel suggests a different character, a different daily rhythm.
Food and drink choices also carry a strong geographical and emotional symbolism. When participants are in their country of origin, they often showcase dishes or drinks from the country they aspire to migrate to – an edible expression of longing.
Conversely, when they are already in the destination country, they tend to highlight food from the place they left behind – a memory, a taste that anchors them to their roots.
Also, sometimes the camera captures newly discovered foods along their migration path, reflecting curiosity, adaptation, and enjoyment of unfamiliar cultures.
Ultimately, taste is an essential aspect of cultural identity and one of the most powerful senses for “travelling without travelling.” Through these images, food and drink become more than nourishment—they are markers of belonging, desire, and transformation.
“I think it captures how I feel.
It can be sweet, but in life, there are (…) moments when things are nice, good, and it works out the way you wanted. But there are also moments that are sour.”
Philipinnes _ Participant 3, September 2024
“I chose this object, this is gummy bear. (chuckles) Haribo is a very German thing, and this is uh Pfirsiche, what is this in English? This is sweet and sour, that’s the thing.
Of course, I was just in Germany a month ago. So, I was on vacation, and again, it was like being reminded of the things that I miss about being in Germany. Definitely it’s one of these, I remember when I was a student, I was amazed.
Here [in the Philippines], we only have one kind of gummy bear, but in Germany, they have all kinds. I remember every week, I would buy different kinds of Haribo.
So it says “Haribo macht kinder froh,” Haribo makes children happy. But it’s not just children; it makes me happy [too]. I think it captures how I feel. It can be sweet, but in life, there are also moments when things are nice, good, and it works out the way you wanted. But there are also moments that are sour. Sometimes, things don’t turn out the way we want them to, but somehow that’s how it is. So, I think that in essence, this really represents how I feel about my plans and where I am right now.”