Spices or spicesssss

2024
INSTALLATION
Dingen Die Niet Verkopen, Antwerp BE

The ancient spice trade routes were not just pathways for goods but also conduits for ideas, religions, and cultures. Spices like pepper, cinnamon, and cloves were so highly valued that they were often worth more than gold. Take, for instance, black pepper, often referred to as “black gold.” Native to India’s Malabar Coast, it became a catalyst for the European Age of Exploration, driving explorers like Vasco da Gama to chart new maritime routes. Similarly, nutmeg and cloves, endemic to the Banda Islands in Indonesia, ignited fierce competition among colonial powers, culminating in treaties and conflicts that redrew global maps.

The Silk Road and Maritime Spice Route also stand as testaments to the transformative power of spices. These networks linked Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, fostering not only commerce but a rich cultural exchange. Spices, small and potent, served as a bridge between civilizations, carrying with them traditions, recipes, and rituals.