A gilded cage for taste? Lost in a curated moment, searching for something real beneath the shimmering surface... ✨ #Mugaritz #Artifice #Experience
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The photograph is shot in a dimly lit, almost cavernous dining room. It's undeniably Mugaritz, but not as we know it – a slightly warped and surreal version, suggesting a dreamlike quality. The walls are textured with an uneven mix of polished stone and raw earth, hinting at both luxury and primordial origins. The lighting is primarily from a single source: a warm, flickering candlelight positioned just out of frame to the left, casting deep shadows and highlighting specific areas. The central focus is on two hands – one weathered and calloused (presumably belonging to an older man), the other slender and elegant (a younger woman). They are reaching for a single, elaborately presented dish, ‘mugaritzakesdo’ as if it were a sacred offering. This isn't just food; it’s art, sculpted from unfamiliar ingredients - perhaps iridescent mosses, petrified fruits, and foams that shimmer with an unnatural glow. The older man is clearly the 'con', the influencer or presenter – he wears subtly expensive clothing, his expression is carefully constructed to appear thoughtful and appreciative. The younger woman is ‘las,’ captivated by him, mirroring his gestures in a way that feels staged, almost robotic. Their interaction suggests a performance; an orchestrated experience designed for social media consumption. The phrase 'comer' (to eat) seems ironic here – they are not truly savoring the food; their focus is on the act of being seen eating. The words ‘sobre gusta’ and ‘prefer’ float subtly as faint, almost ghostly projections above the dish, representing the curated opinions and desires driving this experience. The phrase 'ello' appears briefly in a reflection within a polished silver serving spoon, hinting at a distorted sense of self. There are fleeting glimpses – through the shadows - of other diners, faces blurred and indistinct, like extras in a play. A single, large mirror on the far wall reflects the scene back upon itself, creating an endless loop of performance and observation. The phrase ‘handsread’ is subtly integrated as a texture within the dish's presentation—tiny, almost invisible handprints etched into the surface, representing the unseen labor behind it. The overall mood is unsettling – beautiful but artificial, decadent but hollow. The photograph aims to capture the feeling of being trapped in an elaborate performance, questioning authenticity and the commodification of experience.