Inspired by histories of communal dining and socialising, London-based design studio Arabeschi di Latte’s new work Social Kitchen rethinks the function of food related objects in the Harewood collection.

Working with Leeds-based ceramicist Jo Woffinden, her installation explores the traditions of sharing dishes by creating a series of objects designed to enhance the experience of conviviality.

Find Social Kitchen in Below Stairs in the Old Kitchen.

About Arabeschi di Latte

Founded by Francesca Sarti in Italy in 2001, the studio was born from experimentation with design concepts, reflecting on the cultural value of conviviality and shared memories and traditions.

Throughout history food and drink have been an integral part of our cultural consciousness, important in the founding and maintaining new communities and societies. Arabeschi di Latte investigates through a creative and critical filter these cultural practices, looking at contemporary rituals, the spaces they inhabit and the complexity of human interactions.

Carrying out interdisciplinary research, mixing design and art practices, Sarti and her team work with international clients and partners to deliver installations, performances, bespoke experiences, set, spaces, workshops, visual narrative and social objects, blurring the boundaries between design, architecture, art and food culture.

The studio’s work has been commissioned by a variety of institutions and companies including the Serpentine Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, London Design Museum, Nouveau Musee de Monaco, MAXXI, MACRO, Fiorucci Art Trust, The Vinyl Factory, T Magazine, RCS, Molteni, Boffi, Tom Dixon, Caesarstone, Karimoku, AESOP, Burberry, Fendi, Margiela, Marni, Toogood, Zegna, Villa Eugenie, Selfridges, Pitti Immagine, Altaroma, Wallpaper*, San Pellegrino and Gruppo Illy.

Objects and installations designed by Arabeschi di Latte have been included in several international exhibitions including Broken Nature: Design Takes on Human Survival curated by Paola Antonelli at La Triennale Milano, In the Age of Post-Drought and The Serial Eater at CID au Grand Hornu in Belgium. 

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