Michelin-starred Chicago restaurant Esmé will debut a new collaborative dining experience on August 14th, partnering with local artist LeftyOutThere. The partnership continues Esmé’s quarterly rotation of menus and exhibitions, where culinary innovations are paired with visual art.
LeftyOutThere, born Franco Campanella, is a Chicago native now based in Los Angeles. Known for his “interlocking polymorphs,” which are repeated, rhythmic markings inspired by street art, Lefty brings his abstract aesthetic to both the plating and dishware elements of the new tasting menu. The collaboration is typical of his interdisciplinary approach, which spans from murals and sculpture to fiber art and 3D printing. Lefty, who is left-handed as his name suggests, started out making street art anonymously in Chicago, always focusing on his signature squiggles.
Chef Jenner Tomaska, who runs Esmé with his partner Katrina Bravo, will craft a menu inspired by Lefty’s visual language. Each dish will draw on the artist’s signature organic and uniform markings. The dinner series will run through the fall, with artwork installed throughout the restaurant to accompany the menu. Lefty also created 24 custom placemats, each composed of 1,600 laser-cut polymorphs and joined with 88,000 individual stitches.
Tomaska noted that Lefty’s “fascination with coral—and his commitment to sustainability—became the anchor” for the latest menu. One course, called “Coral,” features an airy, reef-like cheese served alongside a crisp, layered Taiyaki pastry shaped like a fish. Another dish will feature turbot with corn and melon.
“The visual interplay between the bright, sculptural elements of the dish and the layered geometry of the mat creates a dynamic, multi-sensory experience—where the presentation is as considered as the flavors themselves,” Tomaska told Artsy. “It’s a moment that invites guests to slow down, notice the details, and appreciate the craftsmanship in both the art and the cuisine.”
Since opening, the gallery has worked with several visual artists on menu collaborations, such as Meghan Borah, Liz Flores, Raspy Rivera, Eddie Santana White (EDO), and Paul Octavious. This program aims to blend high-concept dining with local cultural engagement. According to the restaurant, past partnerships have helped raise over $200,000 for charity organizations.
“The artist collaboration program was born out of a belief that fine dining can be more than a meal; it can be a platform for storytelling, creativity, and community,” Tomaska told Artsy. “I’ve always been inspired by the way art and cuisine share a language of craft, emotion, and perspective.…It’s a way of breaking down barriers and building connections between audiences—diners discover new artists, and art lovers discover a new kind of dining.”
LeftyOutThere presented a solo exhibition with Maddox Gallery last year, titled “Tempus.” His murals have appeared in cities including Black Rock City, Nevada; Chicago; Austin, Texas; London; Doha; and Miami, among many others. His patterns have been featured in several marketing campaigns, most recently a Formula 1 and EA Sports project in 2024.
from Artsy News https://ift.tt/zHmhdGQ
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