All images © David Rivillo, shared with permission
Chef David Rivillo diverges from the standard box of spaghetti or penne stocked on most supermarket shelves by adding some flair to his handmade fare. The pasta enthusiast fashions bowties and tortellini with vibrant stripes and heaps of checkered fettuccine that are more evocative of textiles or stained glass than saucy dishes. Behind each printed dough is a study into the best ingredients for structure and color, in addition to an understanding of the chemical relationship between the two that ensures each design retains its pattern throughout the cooking process.
Having amassed significant followings on Instagram and TikTok, Rivillo first began the project in 2019 following the death of the late artist Carlos Cruz Diez. “I reproduced the ‘Cromointerferencia de color aditivo,’ an artwork he created for the Simón Bolívar International Airport, one of the most representative artworks for all Venezuelans,” he said in an interview. “Since then, my mind has never stopped thinking about it and how to get different designs and patterns.”
