The Contemporary Arts Center explores the interplay between visual and culinary arts in a lusciously illustrated book, “Cuisine, Art, Cocktails: Celebrating Contemporary Cincinnati.”
CAC asked 26 Greater Cincinnati chefs, four mixologists, and a sommelier to draw inspiration from the works of artists featured recently at the CAC. Their responses came in the form of words and recipes designed specifically for the project. Tying it all together is the photography of Gina Weathersby.
Page after page is filled with arresting images of plated dishes and ingredients, along with portraits of the chefs and mixologists who contributed to the project. Each contribution includes a photo and narrative concerning the artwork/artists that gave rise to the recipe.
The concept for the project came from a group of the CAC’s volunteer docents brainstorming fundraisers for the Education Department.
“We thought it would be a tricky sell, but our friends in the culinary world loved the idea,” said Maria Kalomenidou, a CAC board member and docent who helped spearhead the project. “It was fascinating to see how warmly – and how astutely – our chefs and mixologists responded to the art and artists they’d seen,” said Kalomenidou, who went on to supervise design of the book.
Jaime L.M. Thompson, curator of education for the CAC, served as overall manager for the project.
The book will be on sale the first week of August at the CAC bookstore and select bookstores in Cincinnati.
A gala celebrating the book’s publication is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m., at the CAC.