Care as Concept: Rirkrit Tiravanija and Relational Presence

Rirkrit Tiravanija Untitled (Pad Thai), 1990

Rirkrit Tiravanija, untitled 1990 (pad thai). 1990. Opening event at Paula Allen Gallery, New York, 1990. Courtesy the Rirkrit Tiravanija Archive. Photo : Mary Manning

Rirkrit Tiravanija’s participatory work, especially Untitled (Pad Thai), reframes the art experience as one of social exchange and care. By cooking and sharing food in the gallery, he collapses the boundary between artist, audience, and artwork—centering hospitality and connection.

While my current practice has moved away from using edible materials directly, Tiravanija’s methodology remains influential in shaping how I think about intimacy, participation, and emotional resonance in installation. His work encourages me to consider how space, interaction, and small gestures can prompt reflection and momentary connection among strangers—elements that continue to guide my spatial and sensory approaches even as the material focus evolves.

This sense of soft participation—the sharing of space, skin, emotion—reminds me that art doesn’t always have to be visible to be powerful. His work pushes me to consider how subtle, embodied experiences like conversation and touch can shape the artwork just as much as its final form.

#relationalaesthetics #participation #care #presence #socialspace #quiet interaction