As a part of the Neo-Futurist Dinner Series at Mediamatic Amsterdam, I was responsible for the production, direction, and execution of The Chromatic Dinner, presented by Martin Butler.

About the Chromatic Dinner

Inspired by the ideas of Kandinskys's principles of Klangfarben, and the influence of the Chinese five elements: Tree, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, each course is created in accordance to the colour and underlaying principles of each element. Each course is designed in a different color, taste, smell, texture, and sound to create a five-course chromatic dining experience.

The project's research stems from studies in Synesthesia, a perceptual condition in which the stimulation of one sense triggers an automatic, involuntary experience in another sense. The project asks the question if colour can create emotion, can that emotion and colour be enhanced by combining it with other senses. Part of the ongoing investigation is to see how a combination of these senses can create different emotional and social response from the guests through the course of the evening and heighten the gastronomic experience.

Each course has its own soundtrack inspired by Newton's circle of sound and colour (1704). Working together with the Centre for Art and Olfaction, Butler and Gershberg create each dish based upon smells that are associated with that colour. The surroundings and clothing of the waiters also change per course.

The chromatic dinner is a monochromatic, audio, visual, olfactory and culinary experience which plays with all the senses.