Abstracts

Maddalena Borsato (Bio)

Feeding Body and Soul: Hospitality through Art in Social Collective Catering

The notion of hospitality often serves as a core value in the communication and approach of many collective catering initiatives. It is perceived as both an act of welcoming extended by those seeking to provide social assistance to vulnerable populations and as a broader commitment to fostering a more “hospitable world” through practices such as anti-waste or environmental sustainability policies. Refettorio Ambrosiano in Milan is a project that brings together fine dining, art, design, and social hospitality. Conceived by chef Massimo Bottura and Davide Rampello—artistic director of Pavilion Zero at Expo Milano 2015—it was created to transform surplus food from Expo into meals for those in need. The Refettorio was built through the renovation of an abandoned theater in the city suburbs, with the contributions of prominent figures in art, design, and craftsmanship. This contribution considers Refettorio Ambrosiano as a case study to investigate how ethics, aesthetics, and politics intersect in shaping a form of hospitality through the interplay of conviviality and art. Drawing on a dialogue between the philosophical perspectives of Jacques Derrida and Édouard Glissant, I will critically reconsider the often idealized notion of hospitality within the context of socialg—one that seeks to be both deliberate and unconditional, yet often encounters significant challenges in practice. Can collective catering facilitate meaningful relationships between hosts and guests, fostering a sense of community? Do such spaces prompt reflection on perceptual, social, and political boundaries between self and other? What role does food play as a peculiar artistic form in these contexts? And conversely, how can fine art convey and sustain the value of hospitality?