Innovative Thai Fishing Boats Dining Design at Art Basel Paris
Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija has unveiled two awe-inspiring stainless steel tables modeled after traditional Thai fishing boats at Dalad’s, a temporary restaurant presented by We Are Ona during the 2026 Art Basel Paris. This innovative concept of communal dining features elongated dining tables that double as working kitchens, inviting guests to experience food preparation up close. Collaborating with chef Dalad Kambhu and We Are Ona founder Luca Pronzato, the installation centers on culinary engagement and social interaction.
To explore more innovative transformations in art, check out Thomas Dambo’s Recycled Material Trolls, which offer another captivating interactive art installation.
Stainless Steel Tables as Interactive Thai Fishing Boats Dining Sculptures
Tiravanija’s design pays homage to Thailand’s waterways and the vibrant food culture they nurture. His memories of Bangkok’s boat noodle vendors inspired him to merge dining with culinary artistry within a single structure. “The form itself is both a vehicle and a platform,” he explains. These modular structures, crafted from stainless steel, bring a touch of modernity to the traditional silhouette of a fishing boat, erasing the line between kitchen and dining area, truly embodying the essence of this unique culinary experience.
According to Luca Pronzato of We Are Ona, the transformation of old fishing boats into floating restaurants influenced the design. “The boats are the structural backbone of the installation,” Pronzato notes, highlighting how the steam pods integrated into the tables blur the conventional divide between cooking and eating spaces.
Dalad Kambhu’s Culinary Exploration
Central to this interactive dining experience is Thai-American chef Dalad Kambhu, who merges traditional Thai techniques with locally-sourced ingredients. Having refined her culinary style internationally, Kambhu earned acclaim with her Michelin-starred restaurant, Kin Dee, in Berlin. For Dalad’s, she crafts a four-course lunch and an eight-course dinner, anchoring the menu in cultural memory and personal roots.
Kambhu’s collaboration with Tiravanija also delves into the challenges of maintaining culinary authenticity across borders. As Tiravanija notes, it’s about “finding authenticity, which is your own, which is yourself, in a foreign place.” This thematic exploration permeates the Paris installation, influencing everything from the menu to the tableware, turning it into an art installation of its own.
For another creative blend of culture and art, see Amoako Boafo’s Intricate Portraits, reflecting cultural identity through stunning art.
We Are Ona: Transforming Dining into Art
Founded by Luca Pronzato in 2019, We Are Ona creates culinary events that fuse gastronomy with art and design. The Dalad’s installation extends Tiravanija’s artistic exploration of everyday actions, turning the dining process into an interactive artwork. “Artworks are experiences to be lived,” Pronzato asserts. Here, the tables serve as both stage and canvas, activated by the preparation of food and the ensuing conversations.
Tiravanija’s approach blurs the boundaries between artist, audience, and artwork. At Dalad’s, the installation springs to life through shared meals and dialogue, transforming the static into a dynamic, evolving masterpiece. “A beautiful meal with friends and even strangers is a beautiful work of art,” Tiravanija muses.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Rirkrit Tiravanija’s installation at Art Basel Paris?
Rirkrit Tiravanija’s installation at Art Basel Paris features two stainless steel tables modeled after traditional Thai fishing boats, serving as part of an interactive dining experience at Dalad’s, a temporary restaurant. The tables double as working kitchens, offering a communal dining and food preparation experience.
How does Dalad Kambhu contribute to the dining experience?
Thai-American chef Dalad Kambhu creates a four-course lunch and an eight-course dinner, integrating traditional Thai techniques with locally-sourced ingredients. Her culinary exploration emphasizes cultural memory and maintaining authenticity across borders.
Who is behind the culinary event at Dalad’s?
The culinary event at Dalad’s is presented by We Are Ona, founded by Luca Pronzato in 2019, and involves a collaboration with artist Rirkrit Tiravanija and chef Dalad Kambhu. It merges gastronomy with art and design, turning the dining process into an interactive artwork.
More in
Food
All Food
More like this
Milan's Bar Bardo: A Retro-Modern Fusion of Red Velvet and Stainless Steel by NM3
Fig Living’s Sculptural Chrome Vases Transform Perceptions of Home Decor
Ole Müller Reinvents Flower Vases with a Perforated Steel Tote Design
Ingenious Dual-Purpose Stool by Eunsu Lee Combines Seating with Multifunctional Design
Kyiv Designer Transforms Tape Measures into Artful Fundraisers for Ukraine's Defense
