Yesterday, we posted a list of five art-themed restaurants in Manila, but what multi-millionaire artist Damien Hirst has up his sleeves is on a whole other level altogether.
In spite of the value of his art pieces going down with unsold works being pulled out of auctions, Damien is up and about doing what he arguably does best: market himself by way of collaborations.
Just this week, he’s announced that he’s opening a restaurant with chef Mark Hix called Pharmacy 2, which is set to open on Feb. 23. “Pharmacy 2 combines two of my greatest passions: art and food,” Damien says in an interview with the Evening Standard. “I’ve always loved Mark as a chef and his approach to food, so it’s great we’re working together on this.”
Those who are familiar with Damien’s work will recognize the interiors, which he designed, are reminiscent of his famous “Medicine Cabinets” series. Interestingly, those works explore the themes of life and death—not exactly topics you’d want to discuss at the dinner table, but we’re guessing many customers will be willing to overlook that fact. After all, it’s a swanky new restaurant to see and be seen.
With regards to the food, the jury’s still out, but chef Mark promises a lineup of dishes that will be as exciting as the art on the walls. “It’s not going to be completely British. The ingredients obviously will be. We’ll do some classics and it’ll be a weekly-changing menu,” he tells the Evening Standard.
Take a look at the soon-to-open restaurant’s layout in the video below:
Damien has worked on many collaborations in the past, and his choice of collaborators appears haphazard at best. In 2009, he collaborated with street brand Supreme on a limited-edition set of skate decks. Then in 2013, he released a 30-piece collection with Alexander McQueen to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the late designer’s iconic skull scarf. Last year, he worked with French lifestyle brand Lalique on a limited series of crystal panels using his signature butterfly motif. (It should be noted that he’s been condemned for killing 9,000 butterflies for an exhibit at the Tate Modern in London.)
[Eater]
Photo courtesy of the Evening Standard and Harper’s Bazaar
