The book The Sofrito Manifesto by artist Bernardo Medina will open an exhibition in Chicago of over 60 photographs that highlight the colors and flavors of grandmothers’ cuisine. Starting June 9, the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture in Chicago will open its doors to this traveling exhibition along with the presentation of The Sofrito Manifesto book.
“In the museum we focus on highlighting Puerto Rican culture and traditions and it seems natural to us to be able to bring, in addition to the artist along with the book, a photographic exhibition of what The Sofrito Manifesto represents. We celebrate gastronomy through art while people will be able to take that little piece of tradition with them when they purchase the book,” said Billy Ocasio, Chief Executive Officer of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture.
The exhibition will consist of printed photographs in various sizes from those contained in the book and some unpublished to the delight of visitors. Among the photographs on display is a 6-foot-long still life that celebrates the traditions of the Puerto Rican table during the Christmas celebrations. Also, you will be able to appreciate photographs with ingredients of the traditional sofrito, rice with pigeon peas, drinks such as teas and coquito, as well as typical fried foods of the island. To complete, there will be an exhibition of some works of art from Medina.
“This is the first stop of several that we have on the agenda to bring The Sofrito Manifesto to the diaspora in key places where we know there is a larger population of Puerto Ricans. I want to bring you a bit of this tradition and culture that characterizes us, through these photographs that shout Puerto Rico everywhere,” said Bernardo Medina, author of the book The Sofrito Manifesto.
For information on The Sofrito Manifestó book and exhibition, you can call 773.486.8345 or visit: www.nmprac.org. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture is located at 3015 W. Division Street in Chicago, IL 60622.
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