Photographer: Laurent Giannesini
Rirkrit Tiravanija presents a new installation for Dalad’s, a temporary restaurant by We Are Ona during Art Basel Paris 2026. Drawing inspiration from traditional Thai fishing boats and the culture of floating food vendors, the project brings together art, food, architecture, and social interaction, transforming communal dining into a shared artistic experience.
Located near Place de l’Étoile in Paris, Dalad’s runs from 18 to 25 October 2026. Developed in collaboration with chef Dalad Kambhu and Luca Pronzato, founder of We Are Ona, the project introduces a contemporary interpretation of Thai cuisine centred on the act of sharing food and gathering around a communal table.
For the installation, Tiravanija designed two monumental stainless-steel structures inspired by traditional Thai fishing boats. Functioning as both dining tables and working kitchens, they incorporate integrated seating and steam-cooking stations, allowing chefs to prepare and serve food directly in front of guests. Accommodating up to 100 people, the structures dissolve the conventional separation between kitchen and dining space, creating an environment in which the preparation and consumption of food become part of a collective experience.
The concept draws from Tiravanija’s personal memories of Bangkok’s waterways, particularly the experience of buying boat noodles from vendors who prepared and sold food directly from their boats. Reflecting on this connection, the artist describes the boat as both a vehicle and a platform, emphasising its role not only as a means of transportation but also as a place of exchange and social interaction.
The design also references the practice of repurposing traditional fishing boats as floating restaurants. Through the use of stainless steel, Tiravanija reinterprets these familiar cultural forms within a contemporary setting, translating an everyday aspect of Thai life into a functional installation.
The project continues Tiravanija’s longstanding exploration of hospitality, participation, and social relationships through food and shared experiences. Rather than positioning the artwork as an object for passive observation, the installation creates a space in which cooking, eating, and gathering become integral to the artistic experience. This approach reflects his broader practice of examining how art can extend beyond conventional exhibition spaces and become part of everyday social life.
Presented during Art Basel Paris 2026, Dalad’s brings Thai culinary traditions into dialogue with contemporary art and design, offering another perspective on Tiravanija’s ongoing exploration of the social possibilities of art.
Adapted from an article by Iñaki Laguardia, published on Designboom.
Reference: We Are Ona
