KetiKoti Westerpark x Buro Stedelijk x Code Noir

 

– Proposal KetiKoti Westerpark, Meterhuis x Buro Stedelijk x Code Noir – 

We propose to open the exhibition on June 18 with a Cassava bread-breaking ceremony. On the day of the already planned market, throughout the afternoon people can come by and see the making of cassava bread and taste it, possibly drinking some Sorrel (hibiscus) syrup.

Inside of the Meterhuis, we propose a two-part exhibition focussed on showcasing ingredients and their stories, and an installation mimicking part of the table at the Code Noir dinner.

Part I: A visitor could walk in and experience history through visiting ingredients on any day at the Meterhuis, Westergasterrein. Around six selected ingredients, among which salted fish and nutmeg, will tell about the transatlantic slave trade, linking back to the food we eat today. Hands coming from the wall, cast from Lelani Lewis’ (and potentially Noni Kooiman’s hands), holding out the ingredients to see, smell and touch for the visitor.
Do you recognize them? Do you know their taste?
In a little story/short text, accessible through printed text and/or a QR with audio from Lelani Lewis in English and Noni Kooiman in Dutch, you will hear its historical significance. In this way, we can change the narrative and decolonize some ingredients by telling about their cultural value as well as sometimes currency value.

Part II: A table coming from the wall with a white tablecloth. A candelabra, broken white plates and four Delft Blue plates are set on the table. On the wall, a video is playing every few minutes, where Rachel Rumai Diaz sits at the table and looks at you. A possible recording of her voice (text below) will be played from the speakers under the table.

 

Plaster casted hands

Mock-up of hand holding ingredients. The molds will be in black instead of in the white of plaster.

Rachel Rumai Diaz during documentation for the Code Noir dinner at Mediamatic

Text by Rachel Rumai Diaz, European Period at Code Noir Dinner

Documentation of Code Noir dinner at Mediamatic with video projection at end of long table.

 Here lies the fruit of my invaded womb.
This is what is left of me.
There are pieces of my body scattered around
looking for its way back to a home that no longer exists.
Home is now wherever you point your gun,
wherever I come undone,
wherever the tip of your knife cuts
into the flesh other than my own.

I have been waiting for you to let me be free.
This is what you made of me.

Here lies the mess you made after you broke me.
Made into bite-size pieces to be devoured.
I have been mixed, stirred, whisked, beaten, and whipped
until there has been nothing left of me to hold onto.

I am everything you find desirable and offensive at the same time.
Just the right amount of savage,
the right amount of forbidden.
Just the right amount of exotic roasted with confit garlic.

Code Noir dinner visitor during the European Period at Code Noir dinner

Made of conquered soil ground into the cornmeal.
Mixed with oil and saltwater to taste.

Artist Suzanne Bernhardt holding a piece of Cassava bread

Here lies me,
served on a broken plate,
smoked long enough to preserve the taste of my flesh
made from your flesh.

Strange fruit hanging from your loins.
I am the daughter of your genocide.
Granddaughter of a war I never asked for.
Bastard of your crimes and curiosities
that killed the essence of me.

I am the taste of blood on your tongue.
What do you see when you look at me?
Do I look like cinnamon sprinkled to add flavor to your pallet?
Or does the spice wars have been fought over leave an aftertaste in your mouth?
Do I taste like burnt sugar?
Do you hear whispers of whore and witch when you put your hands on me?
Do the tips of your fingers feel like they could go up in flames?
Do you like them spicy and fiery, like me?

Cassava bread with toppings served during ceremony at Mediamatic

Do I look like something that doesn’t belong?
Do I look like you want to ask me where I’m from,
but no, where I’m really from?
Do I look like I would want you to take a bite of me?

I come from magic.
Full of honey and light.
Touched by the hand of Gods.
Skin kissed by the sunlight.
I come from fearless women.
Bearers of stolen children in the night.
I come from nameless warriors.
Mothers of forgotten Kings and Queens,
teachers of life, and collectors of dreams.

Cassava bread baking on open fire

I come from bloodshed.
Spilled onto land.
Spilled into me.

I come from songs whispered into the air
and bodies aching to be free
and all music that comes from hands beating chest
to the rhythm of the sea.

I come from home,
wherever that may be.

I come from forgiveness,
but no apologies ever thrown our way.
We taught our mouths to kiss the pain away.

Here lies what is left of me.

Bon appétit.