Conflict Kitchen has been selected as a finalist for the 2nd International Award for Public Art.
The kiosk in Schenley Plaza in Oakland is both a restaurant and a socially engaged public art project that only serves cuisine from countries with which the United States is in conflict.
The restaurant was closed for several days in November after police received a letter threatening the business, which is currently highlighting Palestinian cuisine and “a Palestinian perspective,” according to co-owner Jon Rubin, a Carnegie Mellon University art professor
The International Award for Public Art was created in 2011 by Forecast Public Art (publisher of Public Art Review) and Shanghai University's College of Fine Arts (publisher of Public Art).
The 32 finalist projects will be featured in an exhibit and publication as part of the award ceremony and public art forum in June at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. The seven finalists will be announced in March.
