PORTO APERTA
The initial concept of Porto Aperta came to mind while researching the soviet union's relationship to food, hospitality, and well-being in social gatherings. While reading Kroptkin and investigating how to develop a communal dinner hub I became aware of the existence of a kitchen factory (Russian: Фабрика-кухня) developed in the 1920s, which offered set menus for citizens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The children's book "A Cook for a Whole City" simply explained how this concept worked.
While researching my core focus of the project: exposing the harsh reality of the fruit and veg industry in Almeria Spain many reports detailed a similar communal kitchen to what the Soviets intended to pop up within the shanty towns.
Porto aperta saw me set out to eat with strangers and delve deep into being the guest, learning from refugees from West and North Africa, how they cooked meals for one another, their relationship to food, and the harrowing stories of their search for a better life.
The platform of Porto Aperta took shape as a political device used to tell and detail the reality of life for a refugee by allowing us to step into their world through taste. Each day at set times the public where welcome to come and dine on a two-dish set menu which detailed my research into the colonialism of our veg industry and the contemporary exploitation of those seeking better opportunities in Europe. All the while echoing the concept of the factory kitchen.
Students and the public eat for free
I chose the old atrium in ncad, which was left neglected by students and faculty. This open, warm and bright space felt ideal for a public kitchen and a communal gathering space. A large portion of the project was focused on refurbishing this space. I had to take on the role of the handyman, the squatter, the chef and the artist. Refurbishing floor and keeping daily maintenance.
Following on from the project this radical approach of claiming an exhibition spot was not only in the reflection of the current crisis surrounding non-commercial space in Dublin city but was also rejecting the expected norms of my degree show to present my artwork in a white wall space.
My artwork was displayed around the room, on the tables and in the food, ephemeral in some way but accessible to all who might not have the trained eye to view fine art.
