The Apocalyptic Menu

Christian von Alvensleben produced the “The Apocalyptic Menu” in 1992. The 13 photographs (top-quality dye transfers) depict twelve ‘conceptual courses’. The title photograph shows the time using field cutlery: ‘four minutes to twelve’ – high time to reflect on the destruction of natural foodstuffs.

“The Apocalyptic Menu” has been produced in a coffer containing all 13 photos as dye transfers sized 50x60cm with 13 copies most of which are already to be found in public and private collections.

Furthermore, “The Apocalyptic Menu” has been published as a book in a limited edition of 1000 copies with texts written by the master chef Alfons Schuhbeck and the science journalist Gerd Schuster describing the situation of foodstuffs in an emotional and scientific way.

The work has received international acclaim and several awards.

The project was the only German work to be invited to Aqua Sparte and Turin to the Biennale of Photography 1993 by the Fondazione Italiana per la Fotografia.

FNAC exhibited the work in Bordeaux and Paris.

In 2007 “The Apocalyptic Menu” was shown in the Stadtmuseum Schleswig, in 2008 at the Photo Festival in Zingst and in 2009/2010 at the Kunsthalle St. Annen in Lübeck.

The book was awarded the Kodak Fotobuchpreis in 1992 for its ‘exemplary photographic quality’.

The Art Directors Club Deutschland awarded a gold medal for the photos and the Grand Prix 1993 for the overall work.

The Art Directors Club of Europe awarded the work a silver medal and gave it a ‘special mention’.