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Art beat: Writing a recipe for change
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Art beat: Writing a recipe for change
By DYLAN THOMAS
Robert Karimi confronts the growing risk of diabetes through theater
THE WEDGE — When the playwright and spoken-word artist Robert Karimi set up shop in a tiny gallery room at Intermedia Arts in February, he had a wide, eye-level slot cut into one wall, right next to the door.
The size and shape of a kitchen window, a visitor imagined Karimi might slide a steaming plate of food into the opening, slam a service bell and shout, “Pick up!”
It would not be out of character for Karimi — who offered to share the scrambled egg, mushroom and onion tacos he whipped-up for lunch during a recent interview — or his theatrical alter ego, chef Mero Cocinero Karimi. Mero Cocinero (“best cook” or “your homie cook,” translated from Spanish by Karimi) is the star of “The Cooking Show con Karimi y Comrades: Diabetes of Democracy,” a new performance Karimi plans to debut next year.
Past versions of Karimi’s interactive theater piece served up commentary on culture, race and politics in the format a PBS cooking show. The next episode, to be developed during Karimi’s 18-month residency at Intermedia Arts, will focus on the growing health threat posed by type 2 diabetes.
More than 8 percent of the U.S. population, or nearly 26 million people, is diagnosed with diabetes, the seventh-leading cause of death in the country, according to a January report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ninety to 95 percent of new cases are type 2 diabetes, a form associated with such factors as old age, obesity and physical inactivity that is more frequently being diagnosed in children and adolescents.
Diabetes also disproportionately affects minority communities. The CDC reported African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics and some Asian-American populations all had diabetes at higher rates than whites.
It’s those communities, in particular, Karimi wants to reach with his recipe of humor, storytelling, participatory theater and, of course, food. In each episode of “The Cooking Show,” Mero Cocinero Karimi cooks a dish that he then shares with the audience.
The new episode will develop through a series public events held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Intermedia Arts. All events will include a glimpse into the creative process, conversation and free food.
To view this article in its original contect click here
By DYLAN THOMAS
Robert Karimi confronts the growing risk of diabetes through theater
THE WEDGE — When the playwright and spoken-word artist Robert Karimi set up shop in a tiny gallery room at Intermedia Arts in February, he had a wide, eye-level slot cut into one wall, right next to the door.
The size and shape of a kitchen window, a visitor imagined Karimi might slide a steaming plate of food into the opening, slam a service bell and shout, “Pick up!”
It would not be out of character for Karimi — who offered to share the scrambled egg, mushroom and onion tacos he whipped-up for lunch during a recent interview — or his theatrical alter ego, chef Mero Cocinero Karimi. Mero Cocinero (“best cook” or “your homie cook,” translated from Spanish by Karimi) is the star of “The Cooking Show con Karimi y Comrades: Diabetes of Democracy,” a new performance Karimi plans to debut next year.
Past versions of Karimi’s interactive theater piece served up commentary on culture, race and politics in the format a PBS cooking show. The next episode, to be developed during Karimi’s 18-month residency at Intermedia Arts, will focus on the growing health threat posed by type 2 diabetes.
More than 8 percent of the U.S. population, or nearly 26 million people, is diagnosed with diabetes, the seventh-leading cause of death in the country, according to a January report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ninety to 95 percent of new cases are type 2 diabetes, a form associated with such factors as old age, obesity and physical inactivity that is more frequently being diagnosed in children and adolescents.
Diabetes also disproportionately affects minority communities. The CDC reported African Americans, American Indians, Hispanics and some Asian-American populations all had diabetes at higher rates than whites.
It’s those communities, in particular, Karimi wants to reach with his recipe of humor, storytelling, participatory theater and, of course, food. In each episode of “The Cooking Show,” Mero Cocinero Karimi cooks a dish that he then shares with the audience.
The new episode will develop through a series public events held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Intermedia Arts. All events will include a glimpse into the creative process, conversation and free food.
To view this article in its original contect click here