Sophie Whetton
In function of Elien Ronse’s T’Paviljoentje, a community kitchen art piece in the centre of the city of Geraardsbergen, Sophie Whetton contributed a triptych of performative desserts inspired by three manifestos. Over the course of three days the public were presented with a series of desserts that aspired to encompass the ideas of great ‘justice’ writers, Bell Hooks, Tricia Hersey and Martin Luther King, Jr. These writers specifically highlight the power of change through collective action and promote non-violent methods in their works. Our desserts intended to embody a suggestion of each writers vision through flavour and form. As the diners ate, a sentence from the accompanying author was written on the walls of the T’Paviljoentje. The books of said authors were provided for spontaneous reading at the table.
Photo by Jordi de Smedt
Photo by Jordi de Smedt
Butter Biscuit

The sleepy butter biscuit languishes on the plate, a resting dessert it demands little. Inspired by the words of Tricia Hersey in her text ‘Rest is Resistance’ we are presented with the idea that resting, napping and taking time for our dreams is not only necessary for being human but a resistance against the capitalist system. Let yourself pause and dream in the luxury of butter and sugar, let yourself be healed by the homegrown infusion of rosemary.
Candied Radishes

At first glance the candied radish may seem small and futile. Like love that can manifest itself in small and sweet ways it presents itself unassumingly. The bitterness of the radish is maintained representing the commitment and hard work that love involves. Only thirty of these desserts have been made especially for the T’Paviljoentje by Elien Ronse. Inspired by the text ‘All About Love’ by Bell Hooks.
Black cake

Present and dense, the fruit cake before you is a laborious creation. Taking more than 48 hours to produce due to the fruit soaking times it embodies the meaning of patience. Inspired by the non-resistant methods of Martin Luther King, Jr it carries weight and refuses to be moved, waiting patiently to be acknowledged.
Photo by Jordi de Smedt
Click here to view Elien's project.