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The Art of Culinary Nicolet College
Location
Nicolet Art Gallery, Rhinelander, WI
Custom
dehydrated
/dēˈhīˌdrādəd/
Dehydration preserves,
reshaping life into texture and form.
What is dried remains,
holding memory in its skin.
Preservation
/ˌprezərˈvāSH(ə)n/
What dries does not wither,
It transforms, hardened by time's gentle pull.
In each crack, each fold, a story is sealed,
Life suspended, yet whispering still.
Texture
/ˈtek(st)SHər/
Like sun on skin, like memory on the mind,
Textures emerge—rough yet soft,
Resilient as we are,
Changing form but never losing essence.
Echo
/ˈekō/
The pulse of a fruit, the breath of a flower,
Captured in the moment before fading.
Here, even silence speaks,
The echo of what was and what remains,
Immortalized in dry, delicate layers.
Alchemy
/ˈalkəmē/
The art of transformation,
Turning the forgotten into gold.
Each element, touched by time’s hand,
Becomes a vessel of new meaning.
Creation and decay entwined,
Whispers of renewal etched into form.
Foraged
/ˈfôrijd, ˈfärijd/
Treasures uncovered,
Gathered from the wild earth’s bounty.
Each find, a story of resilience,
Roots, stems, petals—fragments of life.
From chaos to harmony,
What is found transforms into art.
By Shelley Novotny
Date
December 2024 through January 2025
Project type
Exhibit
Role
Artist, Designer
The Art of Culinary is a captivating display that merges art, sustainability, and sensory experience to explore the concept of "Dehydrated" as both a physical and metaphorical reflection of the human experience. This exhibit features a thoughtfully curated arrangement, including:
A dress form adorned with a hand-sewn kimono, a crown, and a pair of upcycled shoes.
A striking garland crafted from dehydrated fruits, symbolizing a clothesline, suspended on the wall.
Six professional photographs mounted on eco-dyed fabric and hung from the garland, showcasing the intricacy and elegance of the wearable art.
At the heart of the display is an 8.5” x 11” mounted narrative that bridges the tactile and visual elements of the exhibit, drawing a powerful connection between the drying process of natural materials and the resilience of the human spirit. Visitors are invited to engage their senses by touching samples of the dehydrated materials used in the artwork, offering a hands-on experience to explore the textures and fragrances of these transformed elements.
This immersive installation celebrates the beauty of renewal and transformation, showcasing how nature, art, and the culinary world converge to inspire both reflection and creativity.
