Dark Kitchen
Heide Museum of Modern Art
Melbourne, VIC
16.11.19 - 15.03.20
Curated by Laura Couttie
Dark Kitchen responds to the unique social and institutional histories of Heide Museum of Modern Art. Responding to the communal and convivial environments that John and Sunday Reed created for artists at Heide, Dark Kitchen references the kitchen and living spaces that are accessible to visitors in Heide Cottage; the original farmhouse, and Heide Modern; the modernist residence.
The term ‘dark kitchen’ refers to recent innovations developed to service the growing food delivery industry. Also referred to as ‘ghost kitchens’ or ‘virtual kitchens’, these spaces operate out of public sight to produce meals exclusively for the online orders market. They are designed for minimal social interaction and maximum efficiency—conveyor belts for production, pick up and distribution. By shining a light on an activity that usually occurs behind closed doors, Dark Kitchen infuses the supposedly non-commercial, contemplative space of the museum with a commentary on contemporary capitalist structures.