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Inedible Cakes Projects

Eat the Privileged

Performance, Inedible Cakes, February 2020

Creator: Kay Slater
Exhibition: Inedible Cakes
Published: February 2020
Format: Live Performance, Bic Bodymark Marker


“Eat the rich.”

I have a place to live and can pay my rent. My presence isn’t questioned in most public spaces. I have a community that accepts me and trusts me to use their spaces. I do not go hungry. I invite you to take up space and to share your thoughts and ideas. Fill yourself up with the opinions of others besides my own. I own a chair and will sit down while you make your voice heard.

Take what you need, because I have something to give.

Kay Slater

Description of the Work

In hosting this event, it was Kay’s hope that we would engage in discussion around food and privilege. Having access to a gallery space and hosting an open-call was a good first step, but they continued to question how they could name their own privilege and keep it in mind as the event came together. Some of these thoughts were expressed in their curatorial essay (which was read aloud in English with ASL interpretation at the start of the event), but once the event began, they wondered how they could continue the conversation without taking up additional space/time during the exhibition. The idea to designate sections on their skin both imitated a butcher’s chart (eat the rich) and used space that was already present in the room as host without taking up any more exhibition space.

The layers of illustrated cake represent 4 ways Kay has food privilege:

  1. I have a home in which there is a fridge to store perishable items, and a larder for non-perishable items. Food enough to feed a pet (cat).
  2. I can go out to a restaurant (fine dining or other), and not embarrass myself or other diners. I know and have practiced customs of fine dining. I can pay for my dinner. I will not be denied entry to a restaurant because of the colour of my skin or my clothing.
  3. Goods are marketed to me. I am in a social class where products are designed with me and my peer/social group in mind. I can afford many of these products. If I cut myself while making meals using these products, I can buy bandages that closely match the colour of my skin.
  4. I know what healthy food is, have access to information about nutrition, and am financially able to make diet decisions based on my ethical and physical needs. I can identify unhealthy choices and can choose to avoid those foods. Healthy food is available to me in my neighbourhood. I have access to fresh produce.

Photos

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