Art is the New Apéritif
By Candace Opper
It’s no surprise that having original art in a restaurant space enhances the gastronomic experience, as both art and food engage the senses and can complement each other in myriad ways.
Carefully curated art serves to echo and advance a restuarant's ambiance, elevating the dining experience to a deeper level, whether that’s playful or tranquil, classy or contemporary, kitschy or minimalist.
This goes beyond the selection of framed artworks one might see on the walls of a coffee shop. One of the more iconic examples is sketch, a celebrated London restaurant, bar, and art destination known for its breathtaking interiors. Comprised of five distinct restaurant spaces, sketch pairs each carefully curated by an artist or designer. Every element contributes to the overall aesthetic of each space, from murals to light fixtures, furniture to carpeting. The reception area is home to rotating art installations, and the restaurant regularly offers its space to host art festivals and classes.
For those without the budget of a Michelin-starred London restaurant, sourcing local art can be an affordable way to integrate art into a space that also embeds a restaurant further in its regional culture, the same way using locally grown ingredients does. Scavenging locally produced artworks or inviting regional artists to create custom pieces and designs creates a one-of-a-kind environment and places a restaurant squarely within its community—not to mention giving back to the local arts economy.
Depending on the interior footprint and budget, restaurants can incorporate art in a variety of ways. Here are a few examples from Pittsburgh-based eateries that take art to the next level.
Mural by atiya jones for TRYP Hotel, photo: Lexi Rebar
Murals
Incorporating a mural creates an immersive experience of a restaurant space. Columbus-based Condado Tacos now has six locations in the Pittsburgh area, each of which features an expansive mural painted by local artists—and by expansive, we mean the artwork seemingly covers every surface, from walls to columns to tables and booths. The aesthetic is psychedelia-meets-Día de los Muertos, ushering in vibrant colors and playful desings that echo the loud and spirited vibe of their dining experience.
Tableware
Functional art like plateware brings art to diners in a more interactive way. Pittsburgh’s White Whale Bookstore recently expanded their space to include a coffee bar, for which local ceramicist Reiko Yamamoto created a series of handcrafted mugs. Yamamoto’s style is inspired by the traditional Japanese pottery she grew up with, collections that embraced a mix-and-match sensibility where each piece was handmade and unique—the antithesis of mass-produced objects. These distinct mugs convey a sense of both artful and calm, encouraging bookstore-goers to read and stay awhile.
Gallery Space
For larger eateries with additional event space, co-opting that space into a part-time gallery is a great way to collaborate with local artists. Pittsburgh’s Bar Marco restaurant is home to Union Hall, a private event space and art gallery located on the second floor above their main dining area. Combining these two functions into a singular space allows for a fresh, rotating selection of art as a backdrop for special catered events.
Chandelier by Jakob Marsico for the TRYP Hotel, photo: Lexi Rebar
Holistic Approach
We worked with the TRYP Hotel in 2019 to curate artworks for their entire space, from smaller artworks in the hotel rooms to large scale installations and murals. In their Brick Shop bar, a custom chandelier by Jakob Marsico with globe lights that is connected to a video of the ocean hangs above the lobby, illuminating in patterns created by the waves; patrons can glimpse Atiya Jones’ mural through the restaurant windows. moving across an outdoor stone wall; a section of artworks by Seth Clark hang above a brick fireplace. These collected pieces tie the space together visually and allow visitors to experience a variety of artworks by contemporary Pittsburgh artists.
