Accession Number
2014/2.310

Title
The Politics of Dinner, Afghanistan (Khrushchev Exchanges Food with the Afghan P.M. While Bulganin Looks On)

Artist(s)
Dmitri Baltermants

Artist Nationality
Russian (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
circa 1960; printed 2003

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
11 in x 14 in (27.94 cm x 35.56 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James Agah, Class of 1989 (BBA)

Subject matter
In this photograph, two men—Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev and Afghan Prime Minister Mohammed Daoud Khan—exchange food during the former’s official state visit to Afghanistan. The image represents the moment when the Daoud Khan places a forkful of food in the Soviet politician’s mouth. The close-up view of the scene speaks to the intimacy of the act. At least two men look on—evidently other Soviet statesmen—their grinning faces clearly visible in the middle of photograph. The depiction of this ceremonious state visit seems almost comical here to the point of caricature. At least, Baltermants seems to revel in the humorous awkwardness of this diplomatic ritual.  

Physical Description
Two men in the foreground feed one another while two additional men look on or out at the viewer from behind. 

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
diplomacy
eating
men (male humans)
politicians
visits of state