Concept

As part of the “Healing Dates: From Head to Toe” program at the inaugural Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, PPS led a live tablescaping workshop exploring dates not just as food, but as healing agents mapped across the human body.

Participants were invited to reimagine the table as a body itself — with each area representing a different system or organ, paired with local date varieties and ingredients known for their healing properties. From the grounding qualities of Ajwa to the digestive benefits of Sukkari, each element was placed with intention.

What We Did

Body-as-Table Concept – PPS designed the tablescape as an anatomical layout, painting abstract body parts on canvas runners and assigning dates and herbs that corresponded to specific areas — a spatial meditation on nourishment, tradition, and form.

Sensory-led Tablescaping Instruction – Ayesha led the group through her approach to styling through the five senses. Participants learned how to compose a table that engages beyond the visual — using sound, scent, texture, and flavor to create emotional resonance.

Curated Multi-sensory Elements – The space was filled with local bukhoor, a curated playlist, integrated spotlights, and tactile materials like date palm leaves, ceramics, and cloth. Every sense had an entry point — from the taste of the dates to the smell of nigella seed oil and cardamom.

Cultural and Ingredient Education – Alongside styling, the workshop introduced guests to lesser-known date varieties, their healing histories, and how to pair them with spices, herbs, and oils used in prophetic medicine.