70 x 7 The Meal act XXIX, La Venaria Reale, Torino

Studio Orta - 0637

Date: 2008
Ref: 0637
Materials: Royal Limoges porcelain plate, enamel 4 colors. Edition of 150 plates, dated and signed by artists
Dimensions: 27cm diameter
Courtesy: The Artists

70 x 7 The Meal act XXIX This limited edition Royal Limoges porcelain diner plate created by artists Lucy + Jorge Orta in 2008 forms part of an ongoing series entitled '70 x 7 The Meal', which unfolds in a series of 'acts'.

This edition –Act XXIX– is limited to 150. The design is populated with the artists intricately drawn plants species and the rim of the plate is encircled by a recipe for a potato soup – sopa de papas de Humahuaca. This plate is dedicated to the Cooperativa Cauqueva (Cooperativa Agropecuaria y Artesanal Union Quebrada y Valles). Supported by the Italian Slow Food organisation, Lucy + Jorge Orta aim to raise awareness to the production of the precious Andean potato, the fundamental food staple and a critical financial resource for the Northern Argentine communities.

During the diner, which took place in the magnificent historic Venaria Reale, the palace of the Savoy, 150 guests took part in a performance conceived by the artists. Throughout the evening ingredients for the 'sopa de papas' were prepared and then gifted to each guest in a small calico bag. The Royal Limoges plate and the ingredients each person took home were designed to perpetuate the memory of the Andean potato farmers.

The menu for the diner was created by chef Alfredo Russo (Dolce Stil Novo), who took inspiration from the artists' plate: “The soup is the common denominator for my menu. It is a sustainable dish which brings together populations and cultures of every continents. I will utilise ingredients like potato and vegetables, so called ‘poor’ – although I prefer to call them ‘democratic’." Guests will be invited to taste soups from the main course to the dessert."

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