Era Studio Apartment Gallery – Natura Morta: featuring the Underkitchen by Arabeschi di Latte. Natura Morta or still life or even better dead nature was a project by Studio Toogood to celebrate the darker side of the natural world. The four outsized still lifes showcased in this provocative exhibition, were composed from an abstract collection of hand-made and found objects designed to celebrate the darker side of the natural world. Adding to the air of the subversive, the exhibition was held in a private Milanese apartment – the Era Studio Apartment Gallery – where Toogood launched its second collection of objects: Assemblage 2. The striking pieces were displayed alongside erotic drawings from the archive of Piero Fornasetti.
Above: Faye Toogood with her Stratum Table made from anodized aluminum. Inspired by rock strata, the surface of this table is made from layers of architectural aluminum profiles in different shades of black. Clamped together using heavy industrial brass fixings, the corrosion resistant aluminum tabletop sits on a pair of sand-cast aluminum trestle legs.
Midnight Dinners # 1. During the week a series of midnight dinners were prepared by the Italian food designers Arabeschi di Latte under the heading Underkitchen working under the creative direction of Faye Toogood and incorporating beautifully abstract food styling by Francesca Sarti. Designer and for this occasion DJ, Barnaba Fornasetti opened the first midnight dinner with some seriously cool tunes.
Midnight Dinners # 2. Guests were asked to taste simple but intriguing ingredients including eggs dyed in tea and spices that appeared as giant marbles, black rocks formed out of cheese rolled in coal, a rustic dessert made from black bread soaked in water and dark sugar, and artichoke flowers carbonized to black on the balcony of the gallery. All served with Perrier-Jouët champagne.
Midnight Dinners # 3 – The Waitresses. In the dark shadows of the private midnight dinners, guests encountered waitresses wearing dresses designed by Toogood. Inspired by the shape of a bat.
Midnight Dinners # 4. Natura Morta also featured a collection of headpieces designed specifically for the events. Working collaboratively, Zara Gorman and Faye Toogood created a collection of six sculptural pieces that reflected the fierce and powerful nature of the exhibition.
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