From 6 June, a new installation taking the form of a sake bar, called 'untitled 2019 (the form of the flower is unknown to the seed)' - will be unveiled at Margot Henderson and Melanie Arnold’s Rochelle Canteen at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.
A permanent installation by celebrated artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, the piece is inspired by the sake bars of Japan; visitors to the gallery can immerse themselves into the work by ordering from Rochelle Canteen’s menu of Japanese-influenced dishes and sake cocktails, before grabbing a seat in the installation itself, available every Friday throughout June.
Considered by many to be one of the most influential artists of his generation, Rirkrit’s artwork inspects the social interactions of everyday activities. His sake bar will be his first and only permanent artwork on display in London. Housed within the bar’s alcove, the space will comprise a bespoke sake bar, seating and tables crafted in Rirkrit’s studio in Chiang Mai, set within a painted sunrise and sunset scene.
On the menu, Fin Spiteri has curated a cocktail menu centred around sake, along with a selection of sakes to enjoy by the carafe. Meanwhile Margot Henderson and Head Chef Ben Coombs have created a menu of their own idiosyncratic take on Japanese bar snacks including Aubergine, Mapo Tofu with rice, Salt grilled sea bass with pickled ginger and Daikon, carrot and burdock salad to complement the sake.
Melanie Arnold said, “We’re so excited to have Rirkrit coming to our bar at the ICA. We worked together on a dinner years ago in New York and love how he brings food, drink, people and art together. We think it’s what restaurants should do, bring people together for shared experiences.
“We’re approaching two years at the ICA and it’s been so inspiring working with Stefan (the ICA’s director) and being surrounded by brilliant artwork, so to welcome Rirkrit’s and be able to share his sake bar directly with guests will be particularly special,” adds Margot Henderson.
Rirkrit’s Sake Bar at Rochelle Canteen ICA will open on 7 June 2019 and after the opening weekend (7-9 June) the bar will only be open to the public each Friday in June. From July, the bar will be available for private hire whilst the artwork itself will be available to view on a permanent basis.
The bar will be a permanent installation at the ICA and available for public use when visiting Rochelle’s bar, as well as exclusive use for private hire.