Sunday, August 4, 2024

Let's Explore Food As a Social Construct: Beginning the Conversation


Junipers Garden, Brandywine, MD, Oasis in the Woods, June 2023.

Hey there! Let's chat about the social aspect of food. I often bring this up when seeking funding for community engagement events at the museums and galleries I'm involved with.

 According to research, sharing food fosters positive feelings such as trust, empathy, and camaraderie among individuals. This is because eating is a primal need that evokes feelings of safety and comfort. When shared with others, it reinforces the idea of social support and belongingness.

Moreover, food has always been important in social dynamics across cultures. Meals are often used as opportunities for bonding among family members, friends, or colleagues. Food brings people together and creates a sense of belonging within a community.

Food rituals have existed for centuries, from ancient religious feasts to family dinners. They are about satisfying hunger, sharing experiences, and creating memories with others.

https://bowlsunset.com/unpacking-the-significance-of-food-rituals/

Closing of the Mess Hall in Rogers Park, Chicago, IL, with the International Art Group. Created a series of salons and gatherings around food to showcase artists' projects and have across-the-table conversations. 2010


"A La Blanc" White Party, located in Bronzeville at 43rd and Calumet Ave. in Chicago, IL, aims to transform alleyways into spaces for family-friendly community engagement. This event started during the COVID-19 pandemic, and five years later, neighbors continue to gather as caretakers of their community, using food as a means of social connection.