Tomáš Uhnák (Czech Republic) uses gastronomy in and outside of the gallery as a political and social tool. Member of art collective P.O.L.E. he is also co-founder of Initiative for Food Sovereignty based in the Czech Republic, which promotes solidarity cooperative food systems. Uhnák investigates the role of chefs in society and the societal and cultural role of gastronomic events in the Czech Republic from 1918 until today. He also regularly lectures on the possible impacts of the TTIP treaty for food producers and consumers.
At Delfina Foundation Uhnák will create two different works. Taking inspiration from the playful use of Dérive – psychogeography by the Situationists he will deliver a field trip through London visiting various places that tell the city’s relationship to food. Drawing on his experience from the Initiative for Food Sovereignty and his research on TTIP, Uhnák will allow participants to engage in informal meetings with various experts, farmers and activists suggesting new perspectives on social interdependency. For the second work, he will prepare a special meal for those visiting Delfina Foundation on the culminating weekend of the programme. Using recipes from Vincent M. Holt’s 1885 manifesto, Why not eat insects? He will embrace Holt’s original concerns about the diets of those from challenging socio-economic backgrounds to discuss our contemporary diet. This will form a cookbook that Uhnák will show in Prague in October.
Czech Centre London is supporting Tomáš Uhnák for a 4 week residency as part of Delfina Foundation’s The Politics of Food, Markets and Movements programme. The programme brings together practitioners from across the globe to investigate different aspects related to the production and distribution of food.
