In a groundbreaking collaboration, ARTE and Louvre Abu Dhabi have announced an initiative that will reimagine select museum pieces as edible art. This two-month project, running from August 1, 2024, to September 28, 2024, will take place within the iconic museum, merging cultural heritage with culinary innovation.
Visitors to Louvre Abu Dhabi will have the unique opportunity to experience art through taste. ARTE’s skilled artisans will translate the museum’s diverse collection into edible interpretations, providing a multisensory exploration of art history.
The exhibit will feature edible versions of selected artefacts, including:
Exhibition Area (Edible sculptures replicating museum display):
- Winged Dragon (450 BCE-250 BCE): The largest freestanding dragon from the Chinese pre-imperial period.
- Military Helmet (ca. 550 BCE): A Greek Archaic period helmet for hoplite infantry.
- Canister Tower with its Case (1657): An intricate ivory sculpture by Achille Hermansreyt.
Desserts (Miniature cakes with edible printed designs):
- Oriental Bliss (1938): Inspired by Paul Klee’s vibrant work.
- Blue and White Dish with a Lotus Bouquet (ca. 1570-1575): An Ottoman dish replicating Chinese porcelain.
Realistic Desserts (To be unveiled during the display’s first week):
- Hand Axe (ca. 500,000 BCE): A prehistoric flint tool from France.
- Funerary Servant for Pharaoh Seti I (ca. 1290 BCE): A large blue-glazed statue.
- Pyramidion Inscribed with the Name of Huy (1335-1295 BCE): A New Kingdom capstone featuring a kneeling figure.
Visitors will be able to view and purchase these edible creations, with ARTE’s dedicated booth within the museum offering their famous pastries and beverages. This initiative includes:
- An Edible Art Gallery: A curated selection of desserts mirroring Louvre Abu Dhabi’s artefacts.
- Interactive Tasting Experiences: Allowing visitors to “consume” art, creating a new dialogue between viewer and artwork.
- Inspired Dessert Menu: The museum’s café will offer special desserts inspired by Louvre Abu Dhabi’s displays.
This collaboration challenges traditional boundaries between different forms of artistic expression, inviting visitors to explore how taste, texture, and visual appeal can offer new interpretations of familiar works.
The exhibit will be accessible with regular museum admission, with additional options for tasting sessions and demonstrations. It will be open from 10:00 to 18:30 on weekdays and 10:00 to 20:30 on weekends. Visitors can purchase edible art pieces at listed prices, and special workshops will be held throughout the display period, with schedules and announcements to be released regularly.