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Вкратце
Cleverly retro-fitting a take-out window, Conflict Kitchen built cross-cultural understanding by introducing Pittsburgh locals to the food and culture of places with which the US government was in conflict.
. . . to give one another subject-to-subject recognition: that is an act of resistance.
— bell hooks
Believing that the quickest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, Conflict Kitchen sought to promote peace and build cross-cultural understanding by introducing people to the food and culture of places with which their government is in conflict. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, and the brainchild of artist-activists Jon Rubin and Dawn Weleski, Conflict Kitchen used a simple takeout window framed by a colorful facade to serve up the cuisine, and celebrate the culture, of a succession of countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, Cuba, North Korea, Venezuela, Palestine, and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Conflict Kitchen made tangible the possibility of a world where we listen to each other and draw our own conclusions.
The takeout window functioned as a platform for public dialogue, and the food line became a space for hungry Pittsburghers to engage with people and places the media consistently distorts and misrepresents. The takeout counter was staffed by chefs and public artists trained to facilitate conversations about the featured country. Each food wrapper was printed with personal profiles of people who live in the country being celebrated, as well as articles on the country’s food, art, religion, culture, and government.
To extend the experience beyond the takeout line and further encourage cross-cultural dialogue, Conflict Kitchen also organized public events that centered around food. Pittsburgh locals and Iranians in Tehran shared a meal via webcam in a virtual, city-to-city dinner party where both groups made the same Persian recipes, then sat down to eat together. Other events have included informal lunch hour discussions on food and politics, dinners with invited speakers, and live cooking lessons through Skype.
Although Conflict Kitchen operated successfully for several years, the attempt to celebrate Palestinian cuisine received death threats that forced it to close for nearly a week in November 2014. In response to the threats and allegations of being anti-Israel, the directors of Conflict Kitchen emphasized that their purpose is to hold a loudspeaker to the voices and historical experiences of people from across the world — Palestinians and Palestinian-Americans included. The backlash they received is proof that this type of work is necessary.
Conflict Kitchen used food as a vehicle for cross-cultural understanding, and provided a place for political discussion for the citizens of Pittsburgh — as well as delicious takeout.
Ключевая теория
The webcam meals between Pittsburgh and abroad provided a temporary glimpse of what it can mean to share cultures, politics, and, of course, food. By creating a zone of open dialogue and cross-cultural understanding for at least one meal, Conflict Kitchen made tangible the possibility of a world where we listen to each other and draw our own conclusions.
Ключевая тактика
Conflict Kitchen created a clever and surprising way to spread information: food wrappers! Composed of printed first-person interviews, the wrappers don’t just convey genuine perspectives; they tell a story while the patron is eating.
Ключевой принцип
Everyone is different. Some people are shy, others are bold. Some people are visual learners, others respond best to stories. Some people are already on your invite list, others just stumble upon your project. It therefore behooves us to provide several ways for people to engage with our message and, in general, to be as accessible as possible. Conflict Kitchen offered many points of entry: conversations at the takeout window, a visually arresting storefront display to attract attention from passers-by, food wrapped in printed interviews, and space for conversing and sharing food during public events. In short, the more points of entry, the more opportunities for changing minds and opening hearts. Sometimes, it can be that simple.