yeah but french isn't simple...it's uh, the classic all time definition of complicated shit, lol. (western/"new world" standard, anyway--as still the basis of about 100 individual world cuisines today, wouldn't you say?; probably doesn't stand today as most complicated, of course, but that's the first thing you think about french...fucking complicated).
....but anyway, Italian is the simple, champion of the world kitchens, I would say...but not really artistic in comparison. It's just about living well.
Or is that the point? Asian is finally bringing the artistic, to the actual simple...but no less delicious or valid? etc. (Granted, many of those cuisines have long, old, French roots as well, haha)