Food and art have had a long and interconnected history, ranging from Dieter Roth’s cheesy suitcase extravaganza in 1970 to Yujia Hu’s infamous shoe-shi experiments in recent years. Beyond these conceptual foodie projects, artists have also encroached upon more traditional culinary venues in the form of immense art collections, such as those at renowned establishments La Columbe d’Or and Mr Chow. Meanwhile, last week saw Danish installation artist Olafur Eliasson make a foray into the world of cuisine with the opening of his first restaurant, Soe Kitchen 101, in Reykjavik. This modern eatery attempts to combine the worlds of food, art and community in order to bring people “from different places, for different reasons” together through inclusive interaction and discussion. Inspired by Eliasson’s recent gastronomic endeavours, SLEEK rounds-up five innovative culinary spaces by artists and creatives designed to tickle your artistic tastebuds.
Damien Hirst’s Pharmacy 2
Photo courtesy of Prudence Cuming Associates
Following the closure of his first restaurant, Pharmacy in 2003, Damien Hirst — of formaldehyde vitrines and pill-painting fame — made his second foray into the culinary sphere with Pharmacy 2, which opened at Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery in 2016. With a concept revolving around the idea of — quelle surprise — pills and pharmaceuticals, what more could you want than to sit on a lozenge-shaped bar stool and soak up the hallucinogenic atmosphere. It’s just what the doctor ordered.
Newport Street, London, SE11 6AJ
Ulrich Krauss’ Zagreus Projekt
Zagreus Projekt is the labour of love conceived by Berlin-based artist and gallery owner, Ulrich Krauss. This exhibition space-cum-restaurant effortlessly fuses the worlds of art and food together in an inventive fashion revolving around a continuous roster of guest artists exhibiting within the dining space. What’s more: each dinner menu is carefully planned to tie in with the current exhibition concept.
Brunnenstraße 9, 10119 Berlin
Donald Baechler’s mural at Caravaggio
This bougie Upper East Side eatery is well worth a look for Donald Baechler’s expansive and expressive mural of children’s faces, which plasters the back wall of the warmly-lit restaurant. Interestingly, Baechler’s wall of grinning, gawping and awe-struck faces was inspired by the animated expressions of deaf and mute children. The childlike, or “naive” quality of his work lends the restaurant an ever-so-slightly unnerving atmosphere, transforming your typical well-to-do Italian into an eerie, mysterious chamber.
23 E. 74th St, New York, NY 10021
David Lynch’s Silencio
Although this semi-private artists’ club doesn’t really come under the term “restaurant” — it’s a bespoke cocktail bar inspired by Lynch’s surreal masterpiece Mulholland Drive – it is still a must-visit for the discerning epicureans among us. Crafted by the legendary filmmaker, the stunning, otherworldly space is complete with a gold-lacquered ceiling, a luxurious forest room and a Twin Peaks-style, velvet-curtained stage. Mingle in the fantastical surroundings with an endless stream of artists and creatives and, who knows, if you’re lucky, you might even run into Lynch himself.
142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris
David Shrigley’s The Gallery at Sketch
By far the most Insta-worthy eatery on the list, The Gallery at Sketch is a must-see for any Wes Anderson enthusiasts out there. The Gallery itself is a pastel pink-hued dreamland that would be nauseating if it weren’t spliced with a healthy dose of cartoon satire courtesy of Turner Prize-nominated artist, David Shrigley. Earlier this year, the illustrator replaced his 239 black and white drawings with 91 colourful doodles, and we’re all for it. Come along for some afternoon tea, and a bite of Shrigley’s dry humour and sharp social critique. FYI: be sure to take a trip to the space pod bathrooms — certainly the cherry on top of this very enticing cake.
9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, London W1S 2XG