DISH

ONGOING

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

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Potlucks are a simple custom that seems to transcend political affiliations, economic status, religious orientation, and all other social demographics. While the culture of rural communities is constantly changing, the simple gathering of humans around food, is not. However, the influence of technology as a driving force for communication and professional lifestyles requiring repeated moves have altered our ability for casual discourse at an accelerated pace, directly affecting our immediate communities. This project will bring people together for intimate exchange and preserve private moments, collectively building the foundation of the Minnesotan identity, all while building new communities and strengthening existing networks.

 

Pot Luck participants are asked to bring an ancestral or family dish to the event. Because each event is a regional activity, these dishes provide insight into the culinary traditions of that particular community. These dishes are archived through photography and the collection of recipe cards. The photographs, taken at the beginning of each meal, serve as a form of portraiture, connecting the dish back to its creator, forming a collection to honor the individual efforts gathered for a community experience. The recipe cards will be paired with each photograph to create a regional cookbook. This will be shared publicly online.

 

A book about this project and prints from this series are available for purchase in the SHOP.

(This project is support by funds from the Lake Region Arts Council and Minnesota State Arts Board.)