“conversations that never happened” is an exhibition of photographs by tamala poljak and a series of community-based performances and events co-curated by anna oxygen. the exhibition explores relationships and intimacy developed during the ritual of eating. it also asks the questions, how does community evolve through individual interaction, and how can food and itʼs surrounding architecture facilitate such interactions? the photographs serve as a starting point into thinking about how to build community through social engagement and how to map out communities using food as a cultural web.
the exhibit features over 200 photographs from tamala’s native los angeles community, each eating at the dining room table in her kitchen. the process involves photographing a person from the perspective of sitting across from them as they eat, documenting moments in the conversation that shift the way the participants are relating. the images are not designed merely as portraits. they are testimonials of conversations exchanged and the interactions that shift and takes place while eating.