The largest Frida Kahlo exhibition of the last ten years is taking over the Brooklyn Museum, from the walls to the menu, amNY reports.
Great Performances Hospitality Group, which operates the museum's on-site restaurant The Norm, just announced a special dinner series designed to bring a multi-sensory experience connecting the community, the exhibition and Mexican culture through all five senses. Additionally, throughout the run of the exhibit, the museum's restaurant and the cafe will feature dishes and cocktails inspired by the iconic artist.
"Food is not just as an amenity, but an active participant in the exhibition," said Gary Bedigan, director of Brooklyn Venues for Great Performances.
Saul Bolton, chef at The Norm, will welcome five New York-based Mexican restaurants and chefs to collaborate on residencies throughout the duration of the exhibit. Among the collaborators are TV food personality Sue Torres, Oaxacan-born-and-raised brothers Carlos and Felipe Arellano of Park Slope's Chela, Natalia Mendez of La Morada in Mott Haven, TJ Steele of Gowanus' Claro and Justin Bazdarich of Greenpoint's Oxomoco.
"The chefs all have completely different backgrounds, but the same passion for Mexican cuisine," Bedigan said. "Everyone approaches Mexican cuisine from a different background. We have voices from all over New York sharing how they articulate their love for Mexican cuisine and bring the community together."
In addition to the chefs' collaborations, The Norm will be offering specials such as shrimp cocktail and guacamole, as well as Mexican-themed cocktails, including a Kahlo-inspired old fashioned with mole bitters and flutes of Jose Cuervo tequila. Additionally, a special selection of Mexican goods, such as pastries from Mi Mexico Pequeño, will be available during The Norm's weekly brunch as well as at the museum's cafe during regular hours.
The exhibit, Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, opens on Friday with more than 300 of Kahlo's personal objects and artifacts, and explores how politics, gender, clothing and disability played a part in defining her work and life. Artifacts include examples of her iconic Tehuana clothing, Mesoamerican jewelry, and some of Kahlo's hand-painted corsets and prosthetics she used, will make their U.S. debut.
The exhibition will be on view through May 12. To learn more about the Frida Kahlo dinners at The Norm, go here.
