Empire of Persians - 1

Empire of Persians – Document #1

Thunder Bay’s paradoxical doughnut without a hole, the Persian, is inspiration for this series of artistic interpretations (Documents). Vehicle of civic pride and regional culinary identity, the venerable, yet ephemeral, Persian carries the weight of an unlikely history. Like the Hungarian Bismarck – a favorite of Manitobans – with its solid German lineage, and the coffee and doughnut-bearing Sallies of the Salvation Army delivering messages of material comfort to the troops during WWI, the Persian is linked, however tenuously, with American four-star General John Joseph Pershing. Pershing or Persian? The exploits of the General during WWI have been likened to an exercise in empire building – perhaps an empire of Persians. There have been naval sloops named Persian since the 19th century. They have been notable for sinking. And at least one Canadian doughnut chain insists it fuels Canadian troops overseas. Alas, the Pershing-Persian connection is not likely apocryphal, if we are to believe the critics, but no less compelling for that reason. Like it or not, the Persian of northwestern Ontario has a military bearing. The Persian’s military history mixes uneasily with regionalism and commercial history. All of this seems too much for a doughnut to bear. It is one thing for a great work of art, a noble deed, or a stunning accomplishment to attract and sustain artistic and historical scrutiny. Usually, delightful confections do not engage the critical imaginations. But the Persian has a rich cultural significance that will be evident in the Documents created by local artists for this project. Betty Carpick’s Persian Bra evokes the signature colors of cinnamon and pink, capturing in fabric the delicate waves of icing applied by hand; yet, in the manner of Madonna and the slip dress, she turns under into outerwear. The Bra is part of Carpick’s line of garments created under the label of Miss Persian of Thunder Bay.