le moineau is an artist café of the night set in a possible dystopian realm. The project, by Afternoon Collective (Per Stian Monsås and Agnieszka Foltyn), was curated by Carlos A. Correia and Dan Skjæveland as part of the opening of Gymsal for Trondheim Open kunstbiennale.
Round tables laden with white tablecloths stand surrounded by blanket-draped chairs. Each has a single rose and a tea light, lit the moment table service begins. As Edith Piaf’s iconic La Vie en Rose plays continuously, brave guests, having received no instruction, choose their seats. Immediately they are served a cup of steaming black coffee and a small glass of black liquorice liqueur. No orders are taken and no directions are heard. Every time a guest takes a seat, drinks are delivered to the table. Pink filtered lights illuminate the back wall and small café sign - le moineau - in honour of the singing sparrow, on corners turned concerts turned recordings worldwide. And so, the night continues, with dregs of coffee black and words of love clinging to the air.
Top two photos by Maya Foltyn. Bottom photo by Hasan Daraghmeh/Trondheim Open.