Subodh Gupta presents a hut made from used aluminium utensils at Art Basel

Subodh Gupta, an Indian origin artist’s work on the rituals and symbolism of food consumption and preparation were presented in an installation at Art Basel at Unlimited, Basel in Zurich, Switzerland from 15 – 18 June 2017.

At Art Basel, Subodh Gupta has presented an installation as a part of the prestigious “Unlimited” exposition that celebrates art installations in new medium. Cooking the World I (2017) by Subodh Gupta recreates an open hut made from used aluminium utensils and a live cooking and eating performance, recreating the traditional rituals. Gupta uses domestic and familiar elements to create a blown up effect. The walls made of used utensils look like a veiled curtain.

The installation of used aluminium utensils is monumental; it creates a walled hut with individual utensils forming an ensemble. Inside the backdrop of his surreal installation, Gupta has presented a cooking performance as a modern day paradigm of gastronomic art. The experience of eating inside the utensil hut is parallel to any other gourmet adventure.

It is noteworthy that Gupta buys the used utensils for his installation from the scrap markets which also presents a significant message on upcycling of aluminium.

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“I like the familiarity of these used utensils, I know them, and relate to those who owned them,” states Gupta. “Everything goes back to my childhood. I grew up in a house with so many utensils like these, so it’s like home to me.”

Curated by New York-based curator Gianni Jetzer, Unlimited is Art Basel’s pioneering exhibition platform for projects that surpasses the standard art-show stand.