The Britto Arts Trust from Dhaka is an artist collective that has been developing collaborative and participatory projects for years – often in close cooperation with local networks and in locations outside established art spaces. Their practice explores lost stories and cultures and creates space for community(ies). The collective does not view art as an object to be observed, but as a living situation that emerges through interaction with people and is constantly changing.
A bamboo pavilion with a Social Kitchen is being built in Platzspitz Park. In Bangladesh, Pakghor is the family’s kitchen and dining room – a place of gathering, interaction and conviviality. Britto Arts Trust is bringing this space into the public realm, creating a meeting place for people and stories from all walks of life. After all, food and cooking also reflect political events and tell stories of loss, migration and flight. The recipes our ancestors used are rarely written down. Yet the taste of food is deeply rooted within us, evoking memories and powerful emotions.
At Pakghor, lunch is prepared six days a week and shared with anyone who would like to have a taste. The cooking is done by members of the collective and individuals from various communities in Zurich – people who need not be artists or professional chefs, but who, through their recipes and culinary practices, become co-creators of the work and share their stories with us.
Some of the ingredients are grown in the garden right next to the pavilion – the project builds production, growth and time into the work itself. Pakghor was first presented in 2022 at documenta 15 in Kassel and takes on a new, site-specific form in Zurich.
Overview:
Lunch is cooked in the bamboo pavilion six days a week. Anyone can watch, eat and join the conversation. Some of the ingredients used are grown in the garden next door.
Location
Platzspitz Park, near the Music Pavilion
Platzpromenade 5, 8001 Zurich
Visit
June 7 – July 12
Tuesday to Sunday · 12–2 p.m.
Free admission, no registration required. Limited capacity.
In case of severe weather, please check the current program.
Contributors
On select days, the Social Kitchen is co-organized by invited guests.
The respective dates are listed in the calendar.
Special events
June 13 · 1–3 p.m.
SPECIAL Social Kitchen with Sandra Knecht and Rebecca Clopath
Thanks
Eirini Sourgiadaki, Mosaik
Hiba Tahhan
Cuisine sans Frontières
Dave Wälti
Sandra Knecht
Rebecca Clopath
Anjum Amirtham
ExpoTransKultur: Alba Chantico Ledesma, Maria del Mar, Maria Victoria, Pepa & Milovan, Cipriana
Patrick Hari, hari.studio
Chaja Lang
Ana, Anas Finger Food
Andreas Hug, stir it up, SRK
Marwan El-Chami und Freunde, Freiwillige youngCaritas
Patrick Wirz, Studiyo Filipino
Sarah Reyes, coincoin.zurich, Studio Chou Chou
Achoo Kollektiv
Photo credit: Britto Arts Trust, Documenta Kassel