Al Dente includes interactive experiences, talks, culinary histories and more ways to explore pasta's evolution from humble beginnings to global staple. What started as a poolside Art Basel activation has landed where it truly belongs—a museum.
The shapes are inspired by familiar Italian culinary forms: macaroni, shells, farfalle, rigatoni, lasagna, tortellini, and ravioli, that feel right at home in a “pot” of water. Designed to be lounged on, each design translates its pasta inspiration into an “Emoji-fied” form, equal parts absurd and intuitive. You can shop the collection of Pool Pasta at The Standard Shop.
“Unlike an avocado or pizza slice, pasta cooks in a pot of water and is served in a bowl —so it’s easy to imagine these shapes in the context of a pool,” the Jumbo team told us. “Furthermore, we found it appealing to imagine pasta quite large or yourself quite small, as if you were swimming in a bowl of your favorite comfort food. This installation touches on the delight of the miniature, or more precisely, on the delight of the miniature-made-large.”
“By exploring the design of pasta, past and present, the exhibition highlights pasta's role as a carrier of sauce, but also as a medium of cultural expression, connecting people across the globe with Italian traditions,” says Laura Flusche, Ph.D., Executive Director of MODA and curator of the exhibition.
