Artist Walid Raad presents a series of (occasionally, but rarely) lovingly crafted birthday cakes for some of the world's most toxic and/or bigger-than-life leaders.

Artist Walid Raad presents a series of (occasionally, but rarely) lovingly crafted birthday cakes for some of the world's most toxic and/or bigger-than-life leaders.

Each cake led to the creation of a number of slices. The number corresponds to the abhorred and/or revered leader's age as of 2022.

The slices are individuated by the historical or mythological poisons or elixirs they are said to contain. The poisons include Anthrax, Ergot, Mercury, and Ricin, among others. The elixirs include Rapamycin, Heavy Water, and Golden Apple, among others.

Gift a "poisoned" slice to someone you love or hate. Gift an "elixired" slice to someone you cherish or scorn. 

Long life and early death: For some a blessing. For others, a curse.

The Story

I started to fantasize about poisoning the cake, but just could not go through with it. My cowardice got me thinking about all the adored and/or despised world leaders, and their birthday cakes

The Story of Festival of Gratitude as told by Walid Raad

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About the Project

About the Artist

Curatorial Statement from Nato Thompson

Curatorial Statement

Festival of Gratitude

Vladimir Putin

Ronald Reagan

Robert Mugabe

Recep Erdoğan

Saddam Hussein

Mustafa Kamal Atatürk

Viktor Orbán

Mao Zedong

Muammar Gaddafi

Hugo Chávez

Alexander Lukashenko

Ayatollah Khomeini

Margaret Thatcher

Benjamin Netanyahu

Hafez al-Assad

Francisco Franco

Omar al-Bashir

Hosni Mubarak

Walid Raad is a conceptual artist and professor of art at The Cooper Union. Perhaps best known for his 14-year project on the contemporary history of Lebanon, The Atlas Group, Raad works across media and disciplines to examine the connections between politics, violence, and cultural narratives. His work has been shown around the world, including at the Venice Biennale, Istanbul Biennial, and Documenta, as well as in solo exhibitions at the Louvre, MoMA, Stedelijk Museum, ICA Boston, and Whitechapel Art Gallery.

Proceeds from Festival of Gratitude benefit ArtEast and other non-profit cultural organizations selected by Walid Raad. ArtEast is a leading New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging a growing global audience with the contemporary arts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 60% of primary sale proceeds and 60% of resale royalties (6% of the total resale price) are donated to ArtEast and other non-profit cultural organizations.

As a teenager growing up in Beirut, my favorite pastry shop was Noura. It is still there today. I adored their Mango tarts, but just could not afford them. So, I hatched a plan. What if I offered my budding photographic skills to the owner in exchange for tarts?

My plan worked. I got the job, and worked day and night, picturing all the cakes and tarts I fancied. That is, until the day that I came to photograph a bunny-shaped birthday cake for Amine. All of a sudden it dawned on me that ‘Amine’ may be the divisive President of Lebanon, Amine Gemayel, who was known for his bunny fetish and sweet tooth. 

I started to fantasize about poisoning the cake, but just could not go through with it. My cowardice got me thinking about all the adored and/or despised world leaders, and their birthday cakes.

Walid Raad's Festival of Gratitude Cakes

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