SALTBONE

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

SALTBONE is a tasting performance and ritual activation by Nia Lee created in relationship with their sculptural installation of the same name.

The performance emerges from Lee’s Black Food Futurist framework which explores Black foodways and histories through sculpture, ritual, performance, and taste. In SALTBONE, Lee traces lesser known histories of salt production across the diaspora. This work asks how salt can be understood as a living archive, metaphysical threshold, and container for Black spirit.

During the tasting, participants will be invited into a sensory ritual which intertwines timelines, histories, and spirit to make salt a living, breathing, entity.

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FAQ’S AND WHAT TO EXPECT

What is the tasting performance?

The tasting performance is a guided ritual experience led by Nia Lee as part of SALTBONE. Participants will be invited to taste small offerings connected to the themes of the work, including salts, herbs, fruit, and other edible organic material.

Do I need to eat anything to participate?

Participation is always optional. You are welcome to witness without tasting. You may decline any offering at any time.

Will there be allergens?

The tasting may include ingredients that contain or have come into contact with common allergens. Please participate with care and do not consume anything if you have concerns about allergies, sensitivities, dietary restrictions, pregnancy, medical conditions, or medication interactions.

Is this a meal?

No. This is not a full meal or catering experience. The tasting is made up of small ritual offerings intended to support the performance and the themes of the installation.

How long is the performance?

The tasting performance is about an hour. This will include the tasting ritual along with a guided conversation and community sharing circle.

Can I watch without participating?

Yes but we would prefer that you arrive with an open mind and be open to participating. With that being said, you are welcome to observe the performance without tasting or directly participating.

Can children participate?

Children should only participate with the permission and supervision of a parent or guardian.

Will there be photography or video?

Yes. This event may be photographed and/or recorded for documentation, archival, and promotional purposes but this is NO CELLPHONE EVENT. We will ask that you put your phone away during the performance so as not to distract other participants and to be fully present in the work.

PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

By choosing to participate in the SALTBONE tasting performance, you acknowledge that this is a voluntary, sensory-based art experience involving small edible offerings. You understand that participation is optional and that you may decline or stop participating at any time.

By participating, you agree to partake at your own risk and take responsibility for your own allergies, dietary restrictions, medical needs, and personal comfort. You also acknowledge that photography and/or video may be taken during the performance and may be used for documentation, archival, promotional, or artistic purposes related to the work.

If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please let the artist or gallery staff know before the performance begins.

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Nia Lee is an award winning conceptual culinary artist and facilitator. Her work invites participants into collective acts of
wonder, memory, and reimagining, often using food as a portal for spiritual and philosophical inquiry. Their work has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, The Cut, Thrillist, Vogue, and more. Nia also appeared on Netflix’s James Beard–nominated docuseries High on the Hog and the James Beard Award–winning podcast Black Kitchen Series.

This workshop is part of the programming for our current show, Into The Plursiverse.

This programming is made possible with generous support from the Accelerate Resilience Los Angeles (ARLA) Arts Fund.