The Main Dish

One of the most common assumptions about the kitchen is that it is a woman's space. With this in mind, The Main Dish looks at how modern and contemporary kitchenware reflects attributes of the model homemaker. Like the objects that adorn our kitchen countertops and dinner tables, the homemaker is expected to offer a pleasing appearance and handle tasks with ease, all while keeping pace with ever-changing fashions. Drawn largely from the museum's notable collection of modern and contemporary design, this exhibition encourages visitors to ask questions about the seemingly inventive and useful features of everyday household items.

Objects in this exhibition—including shiny teapots, ergonomic utensils, food containers, colorful table settings, and white stackable dishes—are arranged according to five characteristics of an ideal housewife: Polished, Efficient, Organized/Contained, Decorative/Entertaining, and Clean/Tidy. Together they evoke an image of a white, middle-class married woman content in her stylish and decidedly modern kitchen. Conversely, they hint at the oppressive and exclusionary nature of this seemingly idyllic vision, and demonstrate how kitchenware design can reinforce the objectification of the homemaker.