The Art of Dining

The Art of Dining Educator Workshop

Please join us for a professional development experience, co-hosted by the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Arab American National Museum! Participants will learn about the opportunities DIA and AANM offer students and educators, explore the DIA's special exhibition The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World, and tour the AANM galleries with educators. Participants will also visit and learn about Al-Hadiqa: AANM Heritage Garden. Catered lunch will be provided.  

Lectures

Member Lecture | The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World

Presenting The Art of Dining in DetroitJoin us for an exclusive member lecture with Katherine Kasdorf, Associate Curator of Arts of Asia and the Islamic World at the DIA, for a behind-the-scenes look into The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World. Dr. Kasdorf will provide an overview of the exhibition, discuss highlights from the planning process, and take a deeper dive into works of art featured in the exhibition. Image: India. Saltcellar inscribed with Poem about Salt, between 1664 and 1665. Copper and tin. Detroit Institute of Arts, City of Detroit Purchase, 30.432.

Member exclusive

SneakPeek Member Preview | The Art of Dining

Members See It First! The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World brings together 230 works from the Middle East, Egypt, Central and South Asia, and beyond to explore connections between art and cuisine from ancient times to the present day. Paintings of elaborate feasts, sumptuous vessels for food and drink, and historical cookbooks show how culinary cultures have thrived in the Islamic world for centuries. Highlighting the relationship of these works to preparing, serving, and enjoying food, the exhibition engages multiple senses and invites us to appreciate the pleasures of sharing a meal.Members at the Contributor level and above can RSVP to this SneakPeek by emailing specialinvitesrsvp@dia.org.

Member exclusive

Member Preview Days | The Art of Dining

Members See It First!The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World brings together 230 works from the Middle East, Egypt, Central and South Asia, and beyond to explore connections between art and cuisine from ancient times to the present day. Paintings of elaborate feasts, sumptuous vessels for food and drink, and historical cookbooks show how culinary cultures have thrived in the Islamic world for centuries. Highlighting the relationship of these works to preparing, serving, and enjoying food, the exhibition engages multiple senses and invites us to appreciate the pleasures of sharing a meal. Image: India. Bowl with Handles, ca. 1640–50, Dark green nephrite jade. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase, M.76.2.2© Museum Associates / LACMA

Performances

Stone Sound Collective presents Tala Mela Jathi 

Tala Mela Jathi means unified beats in rhythmic harmony, and this performance of original music and dance celebrates unity, lifts hearts, and connects souls. Led by composer Mark Stone and choreographer Lalitha Ramamoorthy, Stone Sound Collective merges African and Indian percussion with wind instruments and dance to create a mesmerizing experience. This dynamic performance will inspire curiosity and is perfect for families.Featuring:Mark Stone - array mbira, gyil xylophone, and karimbaMatt Dufresne - saxophones, bass clarinet, flutes, and nadaswaramSam Jeyasingham - mridangam, tabla, kanjira, thavil, and morsingLalitha Ramamoorthy - danceSuvarna Pappu - danceFree with museum admission. Capacity is limited and seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance start.  

Lectures

Spiced Stories: A Celebration of Islamic Coffee, Tea, and Cooking

The DIA’s Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures auxiliary invites you to an enchanting afternoon of culture and flavor. In connection with the special exhibition The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World, this program will feature musicians playing instruments related to the exhibition, presentations about coffee, tea, and cooking cultures from the Islamic world, and delicious samples of food and drink to enjoy. Experience the rich heritage and artistry of the Islamic world through a sensory journey that promises to be both educational and unforgettable.For all ages. (60min.) This program is free with museum admission. This event will take place in the DIA’s Lecture Hall, followed by tastings in FJC Dining Rooms A/B as supplies last. Capacity is limited – seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance start.While at the museum, be sure to visit the DIA’s special exhibition The Art of Dining: Food Culture in the Islamic World on view from September 22, 2024 through January 5, 2025.

Performances

Friday Night Live! Debashish Bhattacharya

Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya is arguably the greatest slide guitarist in the world. He is an undisputed master of both Hindustani classical music and modern world fusion. A ‘virtuoso’s virtuoso,’ he has revolutionized a number of techniques on the instrument. He also designed and patented four types of guitar for performing Indain raga music which he named Chaturangui, Ghandharvi, Anandi, and Pushpa Veena. These guitars are played lap style, with a small steel bar and finger picks. Free with museum admission.