Elmgreen & Dragset’s latest project, K-BAR, opens on February 1st, 2025, within the serene Khao Yai Art Forest in Thailand. This intimate, site-specific installation is a sculptural pavilion, designed for just six guests, blending an urban bar aesthetic with its remote, natural setting. The installation references the urban environment of classic metropolitan bars, with a stainless steel counter, red leather stools, and terrazzo flooring. The project pays tribute to the late German artist Martin Kippenberger, celebrating his love of alcohol with a special cocktail menu created in collaboration with a local mixologist.
K-BAR invites visitors to experience a unique contrast: a sophisticated bar in the heart of a dense forest, only accessible once a month. A Kippenberger painting, Untitled (1996), is permanently installed in the bar, visible through a glass door when the space is closed. The project challenges traditional concepts of visibility and access, reflecting Elmgreen & Dragset’s exploration of ‘denials,’ where art objects appear functional but resist interaction. This project not only questions cultural boundaries but also engages in a dialogue about the repatriation of art, placing a European masterpiece within the context of Southeast Asia.
Catch our interview with Elmgreen & Dragset, where they delve into the future of human physicality, the philosophy behind their work, and the interplay between verbal and visual languages.
Photography by ANDREA ROSSETTI, courtesy of GALERIE MAX HETZLER
