Puerto Rican culture and cuisine is a unique blend indigenous of Taino Arawak, Spanish, African and American ingredients and techniques. The exotic flavors and combinations include a focus on native ingredients such as the plantain, root vegetables, and adobo spices.  Join Kellyn Foundation and ArtBites as we explore the classic Puerto Rican recipes of Mofongo and Sofrito with a contemporary and vegetarian flair. Learn about the culinary history and influence that shaped this recipe. We will also explore the work of Nuyorícan conceptual artist, photo documentarian and visual satirist ADÁL (Adal Maldonado) from the collection at Lehigh University Art Galleries. ADÁL was born in the mountains of PR and then moved to the Bronx with his family at a young age. His work addresses his fluid identity between Nuyorícan and Puerto Rican, the Puerto Rican diaspora in New York, the political status of Puerto Rico, and the perception of Puerto Rico abroad.

 

 

Taste of Art weaves culture and history together by pairing cuisine and recipes from the local SouthSide Bethlehem community with works of art from LUAG’s permanent collection. Through interactive lectures, DIY- at-home tastings, storytelling, and discussion, individuals of all ages and backgrounds will experience the intersection of art, cultural heritage, and cuisine. Interactive lectures and cooking demos are offered in partnership with Maite Gomez-Rejon of ArtBites: Cooking Art History.

Maite Gomez-Rejón is the founder of ArtBites. She has dedicated her career to exploring the nexus of art and culinary history through lectures, cooking classes, and tastings presented in museums across the country and through videos on her YouTube channel – ArtBites: Cooking Art History. Maite has a BFA from the University of Texas at Austin, an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a Grande Diplome from the French Culinary Institute in New York City. She has been a guest on the Today Show, featured in Food & Wine magazine, and interviewed on KCRW's Good Food and NPR's Splendid Table. She is also a contributor to Life & Thyme, Eaten Magazine, Gastro Obscura, and other publications. Her essay, “Mexico's Early Cookbooks,” appears in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Latin American History. For more information visit artbites.net.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, American Rescue Plan for Museums and Libraries.

This event was held on September 29, 2022.

 

 

 

Image: Adál (Adál Alberto Maldonado). El Spanglish Sandwich on Plate and Bodega Bag. 2000. Assemblage with photographic image, porcelain, paper bag. Edition: 3/10. LUF 02 1012 A,B. Gift of the artist.

BODEGA PAPO ANNEXATION PROCLAMATION
People of New York City in defense of liberty, justice and humanity, we stand before you, and come to declare the annexation of New York City as a Commonwealth of El Sp(i)rit Republic de Puerto Rico. Today, September 15, 1999, we offer you the humane Tropicalization of all New Yorkers, regardless of race, religion or color and the fostering arms of an out of focus and free nation, in persuit(sp) of liberty, justice, on the dance floor of our imaginations, as we escort our tropicalized urban lifestyle into the 21st Century. It is not our purpose to interfere with any existing laws and customs that are whole and beneficial to your people, as long as they conform to the anti-gravity rules of the bomba & plena of our café con leche mango nation. Hence, the first effects of this annexation will be the immediate decolonization of each citizen’s brain, the release from all programmed ways, removal of audio visual listening devices, the appointment of a Head of State for this new Commonwealth henceforth to be known as El Nuevo Hybrid State of NuYol, issuance of El Passport: the official I.D. for all citizens of the parent state, El Spirit Republic de Puerto Rico, bone-again-nuyorican baptisms into La Santa Church of la Mother of los Tomates, midnite classes in the official Spanglish Sandwich language and it is hoped a cheerful acceptance of this multi-lingo condition in the Hybrid State of NuYol in the Sovereign State of Mind of El Spirit Republic de Puerto Rico. This is not a proclamation of occupation but a celebration on the occasion of being related to each other in the house of a more enlightened and chevere civilization.

Adal Maldonado, Co-Director El Puerto Rican Embassy, 09/30/1999

(Stamped) EL SPIRIT REPUBLIC DE PUERTO RICO EL PUERTO RICO EMBASSY