Inside CHABON x PILON: Art, Heritage & a Little Bit of Magic

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

On July 11th, our guests gathered at Atelier Artist in
Brooklyn, New York for a cultural immersive experience I co-curated with artist Bacheler Jean-Pierre.

This event centered around the element of charcoal ("chabon" in Haitian kreyòl), put a lens on the meaning of our very own cultural identity. With Atelier Artist’s support, we were able to create a multi-sensory and participatory approach that fused food, music, visual art and storytelling all in one space.

This CHABON x PILON event was a Haitian homecoming.

THE RECHO

Just a couple weeks before the big day, I walked several miles on Church and Flatbush avenues, hunting for a traditional Haitian recho*

After many entertaining, traditional, bargaining attempts, and online research, I ended up finding the “un”-perfect one.

Yes! For the first time ever, I owned an authentic HAITIAN RECHO.

This recho was meant to serve as an artistic welcoming prop to match the theme: an installation that would greet guests with a piece of our history before they stepped further into Bacheler’s guided illustration experience.

*A recho is typically a cylindrical metal created by a Haitian tin master. It uses charcoal to generate high, even heat, making it perfect for the heavy-bottomed pots required for cooking traditional Haitian food.

What I didn't expect was for Bacheler to take it even further. The minute he saw the RECHO, he immediately decided to turn it into a communal ritual by filling it with intended pieces of drawing charcoals for guests to pick up themselves and use for their guided illustration.

Watching our guests reach into a piece of Haitian tradition to make their own mark on paper, was heart-warming.

THE MUSIC

During the evening, special guest Natie stepped in with grace, holding her violin to perform Limyè, in collaboration with Bacheler on vocals, Jean-Raymond on drums, and Monvelyno on his guitar, making their instruments tell a story we were completely captivated by. This moment reminded me of a peaceful Haiti most of us in attendance, grew up in: “Fèt Salon”
We felt like we deserved this moment.

THE FOOD

When Bacheler reached out to collaborate with Pilon Lakay on his Chabon Art Series, it was an opportunity for me to bring forward my Haitian culinary heritage experience. I couldn’t stop thinking of how
I could build this curation around the textures and colors of the evening's charcoal-inspired visual art theme.

My focus was to turn Haitian food into a daring storytelling medium.

So I went to work!

On the menu we had:
. Home-made charcoal bread topped with baked griyo and
red-cabbage pikliz (My own version of a Haitian bib)
. Spageti djondjon with a rosemary garnish.
. Bannann Peze cups filled with dark aransò (Haitian chiktay-inspired),
topped with a lime crème fraiche and dill.
. Canvascaped activated charcoal mascarpone and cream cheese spread
for an immersive participatory scoop. One that stayed with every
guest.
. A dark-colored -inspired charcuterie spread that included black
cherries, red onions, black opal basil, blackberries, chocolate tomatoes,
kalamata black olives, papaya, mango and pomegranate for contrast.

For bold and sharp flavors I added cheeses like truffled Gouda,
Humboldt Fog, Vermont, Creamery Bonnie Bouche, Saint Maure
and more…

THE RED TIN

Oh you thought I was done right?
Bare with me, it’ll be worth it!

For generations, a simple blue cookie tin lived in Haitian homes as a “repurpose tool”.

Long after the content of this container was gone, we naturally found a new purpose for it. Yes, nowadays we call it ‘generational trauma’ because instead of cookies, it held buttons, threads, ribbons and the little things too valuable to throw away.

This blue tin became a symbol of our ability to transform and preserve.
We found beauty in what already existed.

So as it aligned with what Pilon Lakay stands for: To Rediscover, Preserve and Innovate, I decided to bring forward the RED TIN.

The idea behind the red tin is to ask us to forget the Danish butter cookies as a prize (which I found distatesful) but instead to invite you to open a box filled with our own abundance:

The red tin included Haitian flavors like:
. Dous makòs
. Tablèt nwa
. Chokola Peyi
. Bonbon Siwo

It was important for me to show my Haitian legacy beyond one of the typical known story: that of resilience.

Instead, I aligned it with IMPOSING, all through blueprint creation.

To me, the red tin is a sweet reminder of giving space to what belongs to us; all worth preserving!

CHABON

This CHABON art series was beyond an elevated experience .
It was grounding.

It was this breath of home I longed for.

THANK YOU!

To Bacheler: Your artistry gave this night its pulse. Thank you for pouring your vision into every piece and for co-creating a space where charcoal became story.

To Atelier Artist: Thank you for opening your doors and holding space for something this meaningful.
Your walls hosted CHABON x PILON, and became part of it.

This was a true collaboration,
and it showed in every corner of the room.

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