Home is where the art is

Brew some tea, whip up a spot of lunch, take a nap or even have a shower - at the Serpentine Gallery you can indulge in some home comforts, all in the name of conceptual art.

The gallery has been transformed into two self-contained flats by Buenos Aires-born artist Rirkrit Tiravanija. Curator Rochelle Steiner said: "It's totally openhouse - we're hoping people will just walk up and make themselves at home."

Tiravanija, 44, has recreated his New York apartment twice over. Each "flat" has a bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom with hot and cold running water. His invitation is extended from today and gallery staff are already treating the place as home from home, watching TV or catching up on office gossip.

The artist has stocked the kitchens with his home-made Thai curries, which he wants staff and visitors to try.

Ms Steiner said: "Rirkrit's work is open - anyone can get involved, it is about community. Hopefully, as word spreads, the number of people will multiply. Unlike Big Brother, this is not about control, it's about freedom."

The gallery hopes, however, that visitors to the work of art will wash their plates before they leave.

The exhibition, sponsored by Hugo Boss, also has a broadcasting studio from which a serialised radio drama will be performed every day on Resonance 104.4 FM, with the public cast as characters. For more information visit www.serpentinegallery.org.