LET'S EAT

‘LET’S EAT’ explores the significance of food and the deep-rooted traditions of communal dining within Asian cultures, especially during the Lunar New Year period. Across Asia, shared meals during this festive period symbolize unity, prosperity, and the renewal of familial and social ties. From the exchange of phrases like “开饭了!” (Time to eat!) in Chinese households, to the shared dishes that represent luck and abundance, this exhibition delves into the diverse yet interconnected ways in which dining together shapes identity and community.

Through a mixed selection of mediums and artistic practice, ‘LET’S EAT!’ aims to create a sensory and immersive experience that captures the essence of these gatherings. By bringing together artists who reflect on the themes of food, memory, cultural rituals, and the warmth of communal meals, the exhibition invites audiences to engage with the cultural narratives that weave through each shared meal.

Some terms for Let's Eat :

Chinese (Mandarin)

• 开饭了！(kāi fàn le!) – "Dinner is served!" / "The meal is starting!"
• 吃饭了！(chī fàn le!) – "Time to eat!" / "Let's eat!"

Japanese

• ご飯ですよ！(Gohan desu yo!) – "It's mealtime!"
• ご飯できたよ！(Gohan dekitayo!) – "The meal is ready!"

Korean

• 밥 먹자! (Bap meokja!) – "Let's eat!"
• 밥 다 됐다! (Bap da dwetta!) – "The rice/food is ready!"
• 밥 먹으러 와! (Bap meogeuro wa!) – "Come and eat!"

Vietnamese

• Ăn cơm đi! – "Come eat!"
• Cơm chín rồi! – "The rice is ready!"
• Đến ăn cơm! – "Come and eat!"

Thai

• ข้าวเสร็จแล้ว! (Khao set laew!) – "The rice/food is ready!"
• กินข้าวได้แล้ว! (Gin khao dai laew!) – "You can eat now!"

Filipino (Tagalog)

• Kain na! – "Let’s eat!"
• Luto na! – "The food is cooked!"
• Tara, kain tayo! – "Come, let’s eat!"

Indonesian

• Makan yuk! – "Let’s eat!"
• Makanan sudah siap! – "The food is ready!"
• Mari makan! – "Come eat!"

Malay (Malaysia/Singapore)

• Jom makan! – "Let’s eat!"
• Makanan dah siap! – "The food is ready!"
• Mari makan! – "Come eat!"

Hindi/Urdu (India/Pakistan)

• खाना तैयार है! (Khaana tayaar hai!) / کھانا تیار ہے! – "The food is ready!"
• खाना खा लो! (Khaana khaa lo!) / کھانا کھا لو! – "Come eat!"
• आओ खाना खाएं! (Aao khaana khaayein!) – "Come, let’s eat!"

Burmese (Myanmar)

• ထမင်းစားကြပါစို့! (Htamin sa kja ba so!) – "Let’s eat rice!"
• ထမင်းကျီပြီးပြီ! (Htamin kyet pi pi!) – "The rice is ready!"

Khmer (Cambodian)

• បាយហើយ! (Bay haoy!) – "The rice/food is ready!"
• មកញុំាបាយ! (Mok nham bay!) – "Come and eat!"

Lao

• ກິນເຂົ້າແລ້ວ! (Kin khao laew!) – "Time to eat!"
• ເຂົ້າແລ້ວ! (Khao laew!) – "The food is ready!"

Bengali (Bangladesh/India)

• খাবার রেডি! (Khabar ready!) – "The food is ready!"
• চলো খেতে বসি! (Cholo khete bosi!) – "Let’s sit and eat!"

Nepali

• खाना तयार छ! (Khana tayar chha!) – "The food is ready!"
• आउनुहोस्, खाना खाऊँ! (Aunuhos, khana khau!) – "Come, let's eat!"

Sinhala (Sri Lanka)

• කෑම සූදානම්! (Kæma sūdanam!) – "The food is ready!"
• කෑමට එන්න! (Kæmata enna!) – "Come to eat!"