Basil AlZeri’s performance-lecture The Most Prized of All Closets explores the dual function of the pantry as a site of preservation and resistance. The pantry serves a basic function in a home as the place where fermented, pickled, preserved and dried foods are stored. With the advent of the global production and distribution of food, many people are losing their connection to their local food practices, traditions, cultures, and, thus, their pantries. For this reason, social movements aiming to revitalize local food cultures and establish food sovereignty see the pantry as a vital site in the struggle against globalization and colonialism. Through an examination of the role of the pantry in Canada, Estonia, and Palestine, AlZeri examines the pantry as a complex site where cultural, economic, political and social preservation become intertwined with practices of resistance.

Basil AlZeri: Most Prized Of All Closets
Part of The Art of Propagation series
Wednesday, November 8, 7 – 9 pm
Henderson Brewery, 128A Sterling Rd.
RSVP for free admission

The Art of Propagation

The Art of Propagation presents a monthly conversation about varied relationships between culture, food and social histories. The series features artists who broaden perspectives on art and culture through acts and projects of cultivation, fermentation and propagation.

The series will continue every second Wednesday of the month through March 2018 at Henderson Brewery, MOCA’s future neighbour on Sterling Rd.

Basil AlZeri

Basil AlZeri is a visual artist living and working in Toronto, Canada. AlZeri’s practice involves the intersection of art, education, and food, taking multiple forms, such as performance, interventions, gallery and public installation. AlZeri’s work examines the socio-political dynamics of the family and its intersection with cultural practices, drawing on the necessities of everyday life and the visibility of labour as sites of exploration. His work aims to facilitate a space for empathy through gestures of inclusivity and generosity.

Henderson Brewing Co.
128A Sterling Rd
Henderson Brewing company is a locally owned, award winning, neighbourhood brewery in downtown Toronto. Founded in 2014, Henderson is all about celebrating the stories and culture of our city through the beers we brew.