Mattia Casalegno’s VR dining experience The Aerobanquets RMX
Italian artist Mattia Casalegno (b. 1981) created The Aerobanquets RMX, a virtual reality performance inspired by La Cucina Futurista, the surreal cookbook written by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Fillia in 1932. The project debuted at the Chronus Art Center in Shanghai in spring 2018, where visitors tasted a menu by chef Flavio Ghignoni Carestia while immersed in VR. The experience engages all senses: food appears as synthetic 3D graphics but is touched, smelled, and tasted in real form. Casalegno developed software that visually represents tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami). The work aims to be a “total” art, involving all senses and life spheres, including nutrition. The second iteration will take place in New York in early 2019, organized by curator Sarah Corona.
Key facts
- Mattia Casalegno (born 1981) is the artist behind The Aerobanquets RMX.
- The project is inspired by La Cucina Futurista by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti and Fillia (1932).
- The performance debuted at Chronus Art Center in Shanghai in spring 2018.
- Chef Flavio Ghignoni Carestia created the menu for the experience.
- Participants wear VR headsets and see food as 3D graphics while tasting real food.
- Casalegno’s software visualizes five tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami.
- The work is intended as a 'total' art experience engaging all senses.
- The next event is scheduled for early 2019 in New York, curated by Sarah Corona.
Entities
Artists
- Mattia Casalegno
- Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
- Fillia
- Flavio Ghignoni Carestia
- Sarah Corona
Institutions
- Chronus Art Center
Locations
- Shanghai
- China
- New York
- United States