A new exhibition, The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World, is on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). It showcases over 250 works of art and artefacts, revealing the deep connection between Islamic culinary traditions and artistic expression. The exhibit spans centuries of history and geography, from royal banquets in Iran to intimate picnics beneath swaying trees.
Curator Katherine Kasdorf highlighted how food culture has been intertwined with Islamic art since the 9th century, with items like historical cookbooks and ornate cookware on display. One of the highlights is The Book of Delights (1490s), an illustrated cookbook from India, offering recipes not only for food but perfumes and health remedies. Visitors can also explore culinary videos, take home traditional recipes, and experience sensory elements, such as scent boxes and video-embedded serving dishes.
The exhibition also explores the history of coffee, from its Yemeni roots to the rise of coffeehouses in Istanbul. In partnership with Yemeni coffee chain Qahwah and Detroit’s Hashem’s Nuts & Coffee Gallery, the exhibit offers an immersive journey through the culinary and artistic legacy of the Islamic world.
The Art of Dining is on display until January 5, 2025, and seeks to engage local communities, especially the large Arab American population in Detroit.
COMMENTS