Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table
Natural Table

Natural Table
City Workshop in The Netherlands - Restaurant
age 2 ~ 4 years old

The workshop was aimed at discovering “the relationship between children and nature” through food with three different aspects. From obtaining the nature (received the nature in their bodies), to being equal to the nature (had the natural material as part of their bodies), eventually, being part of the nature (surrounded by and belonged to the nature).

It began with a simple drink-making activity. Mint, lemon, pomegranate and honey, different ingredients were served and triggered children’s curiosity. They started observing, touching and smelling those fresh ingredients and made them into colorful drinks. Nature was transformed by their own hands and all the lovely freshness went into their little tummy.

After a drink break, colorful beads made out of vegetables were presented on a table. ‘Where do they come from? Nature?’ Colorful beads caught the children’s eyes. Each children made a long colorful necklace with these little gems from the nature. Like one bead was next to another, the children and the nature were getting close to each other.

When lunch time is approaching , the children started to prepare the table with flowers and vegetables which they picked from the restaurant’s garden. The surface of the table was covered by a mirror. Just like the river surface next to the table, the surrounding was reflected by the mirror and joined children’s joyful “Natureful” dinning experience.

Children’s point of view on their relationship with nature were changed during each activity. Through these layers of point of view, children could recreate a complete experience of “themselves and the nature” in their mind.

2013 / het Rijk van de Keizer - restaurant, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
photography - Fumiko Ito