The celebrated artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, whose work transcends classification but melds conceptualism with performance and relational aesthetics, travelled to the Mexican state of Oaxaca several times over the last two years to observe the time-honoured techniques of master potters from various villages. Tiravanija originally envisioned that he would create a “pottery recipe book” that would juxtapose reimagined examples of the craft with traditional recipes, which would be advised by the chef Elena Reygadas of the Mexico City-based restaurant Rosetta. But, as Tiravanija spent more time with the artisans and worked alongside them, the project evolved into “a more expansive, more ritualistic and ceremonial work”, he says.