Blue Strawberry, the renowned luxury event caterer, hosted a private event at the illustrious Royal Academy of Arts in London, offering an exquisite dining experience that harmonised the worlds of art and gastronomy. This exceptional soirée was an ode to the artistry of Marina Abramović, a visionary contemporary artist, whose groundbreaking exhibition captivated the senses of visitors at the Royal Academy.
Marina Abramović, whose artistry transcends traditional boundaries, is known for creating immersive, multisensory, and profound experiences that challenge the very essence of human perception. Blue Strawberry ingeniously responded to this challenge by crafting a bespoke menu that mirrored the intricacies of Abramović's work, taking guests on a journey through the five senses. This exclusive dining experience accentuated the marriage of art and culinary craftsmanship, pushing the boundaries of epicurean expectations, much like Abramović pushes the boundaries of art.
Each course was thoughtfully designed to align with Marina Abramović's artistic practice. As the artist herself beautifully articulated, "If you're a baker, making bread, you're a baker. If you make the best bread in the world, you're not an artist, but if you bake the bread in the gallery, you're an artist. So the context makes the difference."
The menu featured a succession of delicacies that mirrored the conceptual nature of Abramović's art.
The menu
Laminated Brioche, Salted Butter: As Marina Abramović emphasised, context made all the difference, and the evening began with a transformative take on a simple classic - the brioche.
Carrot, Sea Buckthorn Ginger Air: Reflecting Abramović's view on the immateriality of performance art, this course invited guests to feel, rather than just see or touch, the culinary artistry.
Pumpkin Mojo Rojo, Sage, Black Truffle: In the spirit of creating within restrictions, this dish showcased the mastery of culinary craft, drawing parallels to the creativity that could emerge within limitations.
Venison, "Blood" Sauce, Red Cabbage: Abramović's distinction between theatre and performance art found a mirror in this course where the emotions, like the emotions in her work, were genuine.
Cheese Course: As Marina Abramović believed, art came from life, and this course epitomised the depth of experience that life itself could offer.
Autumn Forest, Leaves, and Tuille: The final course invited guests to savour the beauty of art for its own sake, much like Picasso's sentiment that, sometimes, art was simply about looking.
This exceptional event, hosted by Blue Strawberry, was a testament to the convergence of two art forms, where the culinary arts were elevated to the level of the extraordinary.
Blue Strawberry invited guests to witness the transformative power of art in every bite. Senses were awakened, and perceptions were challenged in a truly unforgettable dining experience.