Food For Thought

Food for thought embraces the notion that a revolution can start at the dinner table.

In the 1970s Judy Chicago’s work The Dinner Party sparked debate and brought attention to the significant contribution of women throughout history. In 2012, LEVEL will draw from the central idea of this work – the gathering of women around the dining table – in order to explore the richness of ideas that this kind of debate generates, as a contemporary form of consciousness-raising.

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Potluck Dinner | Thursday 8 March 2012 | Brisbane

To celebrate International Women’s Day on Thursday 8 March, Level hosted a potluck dinner party in Brisbane. Join in the discussion by hosting your own potluck dinner between 8 March and 27 May. Invite some friends over to talk about feminism – everyone can bring a plate to share and a burning question to discuss in response to the theme: What is the role of feminism(s) in the 21st century?

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Banner Workshops | Sunday 29 April, Brisbane | Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 May 2012, Melbourne

The workshops were free and open to all women who wanted to share their experiences and ideas, and work collaboratively with Level on the project – the banners created were integrated into the Food for Thought exhibition at Footscray Community Arts Centre in May. Level provided all the materials, as well as skill sharing and afternoon tea. We encouraged participants to bring along any special materials or fabrics that have personal significance to incorporate into their banners.

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Food for Thought Exhibition & Dinner Parties | 19 – 27 May 2012 | Next Wave Festival, Melbourne

As part of the 2012 Next Wave Festival, LEVEL hosted a series of dinner party events between 19 – 27 May at Footscray Community Arts Centre. Dinner themes addressed the role of women in the arts and in the media, the significance of feminist generations in Australian art and the role of art to bring about political change for women. Special guests included Elvis Richardson, Courtney Pedersen, Ruth McConchie, Catriona Moore, Frances Barrett, Merren Ricketson, Anne Marsh, Tamsin Green, Laura Castagnini, Virginia Fraser, Simone Hine, Pamela Turton-Turner, Bree Richards, Zanny Begg, Paola Balla, Julie Rrap and Deborah Kelly.

Lunchtime Talks | 21 May, 23 May, 25 May, 27 May 2012 | Footscray Community Arts Centre, Melbourne

Intimate discussions were held with special guests Catriona Moore, Virginia Fraser, Pamela Turton-Turner and Deborah Kelly reflecting on the themes of each dinner party.

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Food for Thought goes to Tokyo, November 2012

LEVEL took this project to Tokyo, Japan in November, 2012. Two dinners and two picnics were held in order to engage Japanese women in questions about gender and art. The same themes that were used in the Melbourne series were used in Japan as starting points for the events.