Nixtamalization is a process for the preparation of maize, common in Mexican pre-hispanic
cuisine, in which the corn is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution. It’s mixed with water
and chalk, the same used in construction and to mark playing fields. As part of Parasite Diner,
a wet-chalk drawing, including diagrammatic elements of the process of nixtamalization, is
presented in tandem with Diego Virgen Castro’s prepared meal as a dine-in duo show. Directly
using the architecture of the space to present and serve food from walls, floor and shelves,
the drawing leads visitors through the space from course to course and ways to physically
interact with it.

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Duo show with Diego Virgen Castro, as part of Parasite Diner, initiated by Freja Kir, Aram Lee
and Paolo Patelli.
Photography by Paolo Patelli (images 2,3,5)