"coffee art" news and stories

Historically, coffee and art seem to be as linked as paint and paintbrushes. Controversial French writer Voltaire reportedly downed upwards of 50 cups of the stuff daily to get his creative juices flowing; the Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro thought his brewer was worthy of its own canvas; and even Bob Dylan has pleaded, in song, for "One More Cup of Coffee."

But what about coffee as art? Some painters are using their morning brew to do more than wake up. Thailand-based artist Pornchai Lertammasiri, for instance, mixes coffee with water to create beautiful, ethereal landscapes. Costa Rican artist Saul Bolaños uses finely ground beans for his photo-realistic prints that are actually brewable. (While there's no accounting for taste, I'm betting these don't turn out as well in the cup as in the frame.) Another painter, Godfrey Caleb, actually turned his back on a day job in pursuit of coffee as art and expression.

This weekend, if you're in the D.C. area, you should check out the Millrock Free Pour Latte Art Championship. It's held three times a year and features the best latte artists in the country battling it out for a top prize of $5,000.

The practice of latte art has been going on for years, and is an opportunity for local, independent cafes to distinguish themselves from chains. The precision and careful technique required for each masterpiece is appealing to many customers used to the "get in, get out" mentality and rushed service of larger coffee chains. Coffee art is like mint on your pillow in a hotel or a soft blanket on an airplane, delivered without being asked - nowadays, it's unexpected but greatly appreciated, and denotes an attention to detail that is often missing from our day-to-day life.

Contestants compete in "free pouring," a technique in which a slight maneuver of the wrist can produce museum-worthy rosettas, tulips, and hearts on the surface of the drinks. If done properly, the dark espresso brings out the glossy designs in the crema, producing a stunning effect that is almost too pretty to drink. However, in cafes, the deconstruction of the drink by the act of sipping is part of the fun.

The baristas have five minutes to make up to three lattes using espresso and steamed milk, and are rated on beauty, balance, color infusion, definition, and creativity.

Check out this cool Washington Post video of two guys from an Annapolis, Maryland cafe who demonstrate this unique talent.

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A flat white is a popular coffee drink common to Australia and New Zealand. It is an espresso-based drink in which volumized milk is blended to create a creamy fluff out of the milk that forms on the top, this is then folded in to the less-volumized milk at the bottom of the pitcher, making for a velvety consistency. The mixture is then poured into the espresso. It sounds like a dreamy cloud of caffeinated heaven.

Flat white creators do not stop at the mere mixing of the drink, the true artists continue on to birth creative works of genius. Using a wide-mouthed, curved mug, the milk is poured directly through the espresso so that it pierces the creme. The process begins in the middle and continues outward, towards the edge. The technique involves moving the wrist from side to side while also manipulating to the opposite side of the cup. While following the above steps, the cup can be moved in such a way that a design or shape is formed. This procedure sounds rather complex, but the end result is quite stunning. I have never seen a flat white listed at any of our local cafes but I am going to poke around to see if I can find one, if I do I'll be sure to post a picture.

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The first North American exhibition of the work of eccentric Brazilian artist Artur Barrio is on display at the Levy Gallery at the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The exhibit, entitled Actions after Actions, features lots and lots of coffee. Over 1400 pounds of roasted and ground espresso fill the almost cave-like gallery space, with grounds covering the floor and what was once liquid splashed upon the walls. The smell of coffee not only permeates the 1,800 square foot gallery, but has spread through much of the school's campus. Some students enjoy the smell, not minding when the craving for a fresh espresso suddenly hits them after inhaling a large breath of air. Others experience headaches and irritation brought on by an inability to rid themselves of the aroma of the grounds after a gallery visit.

The exhibit also includes 250 bottles of wine and 200 loaves of bread, as well as 100 pounds of shellac, an insect secretion that was imported from France. The wine is available for guests to drink, but no drinkable coffee is available at the exhibit. Admission is free and the gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm and weekends from 12 noon to 4pm, if you are in the neighborhood. For directions, see the map or simply follow your nose. The exhibit runs though March 19, 2006.

[Photo by Levy Gallery]

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