Torpedo Factory Art Center is open to visitors and back with new exhibitions. One of those exhibits is Through the Kitchen Door by Melanie Kehoss. This art installation tells visitors about the history of America’s home kitchens and domestic history.
The art exhibit features six different scenes from various eras in American history, ranging from 1790 to today, that showcase the history and transition of home kitchens and its societal impacts. When walking through the exhibit, visitors can peer through the screen to view silhouettes interacting and preparing meals together as the scenes change over a 230-year period.
To create these scenes, Kehoss used historical texts, photographs, illustrations and imagination to bring these kitchens and imagery to life.
“When I investigate the histories of commonplace customs and objects, I uncover how they have shaped society,” said Kehoss in a recent press release. “The history of kitchens, for instance, is also a history of evolving gender roles. Upon first look, visitors may connect with the scenes because of an interest in food and cooking. Upon second look, perhaps they will notice the changes from one era to the next, and will consider the impact of those changes on our lives and families.”
The Through the Kitchen Door exhibit will run in the New Project Studio at Torpedo Factory Art Center through Sunday, Sept. 27. Kehoss will do a live walkthrough of the exhibit on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. on her Instagram account. A virtual artist tour will also be posted on the Art Center’s Facebook page on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at noon. // 105 N. Union St., Alexandria
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