Asia Society Presents Special Event
"The Eighth Orphic Feast: Edible Still Life in Clay" A "happening" called The Eighth Orphic Feast: Edible Still Life in Clay will delight guests at the Asia Society on Friday, May 21 at 7:00 P.M. The Asia Society is located at 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street), New York City. Dress is "black tie and comfortable shoes."

Created by artists Mimi Oka and Doug Fitch, "Orphic Feasts" engage audiences in an artistic experience that uses food as a medium. "Edible Still Life in Clay" will combine the tradition of still-life painting with an old Chinese recipe known as Beggar's Chicken, which calls for a chicken to be wrapped first in lotus leaves, then in clay, and then baked. Fitch and Oka will collaborate with guest chef Marc Felix, chef/owner of La Folie restaurant in Taos, New Mexico, on innovative recipes - far beyond the traditional chicken dishes. Ingredients will be wrapped first in a variety of organic skins such as emptied pineapples, lotus leaves or hollowed breads, and then swathed in wet clay. Then the clay will be formed into an amazing variety of objects and shapes by a team of visual artists, and assembled into a still-life installation.

When guests arrive to enjoy the cocktail hour, the still life will be waiting for them to peruse. Guests will choose their favorite sculptures, and, with hammers, break them open to reveal their mystery dinner, delectably cooked inside. Aprons, which the guests may take home with them after the event, will be provided.

Tickets for this special once-in-a-lifetime event are $300 per person. For reservations and further information: (212) 327-9360 or -9235.

The Asia Society is America's leading institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Asia and communication between Americans and the peoples of Asia and the Pacific. A nonprofit, nonpartisan educational institution, the Asia Society presents a wide range of programs including major art exhibitions, performances, media programs, international conferences and lectures, and initiatives to improve elementary and secondary education about Asia. The Asia Society is headquartered in New York City, with regional centers in Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Manila and Melbourne, Australia, and representative offices in San Francisco, Seattle and Shanghai. The Asia Society is on the Worldwide Web (www.asiasociety.org).