benedetto bufalino cuts fiat coupé horizontally to serve french fries on the street

known for his whimsical, poetic installations, benedetto bufalino intervenes in the public space to play with our perception of reality, and attribute alternative roles to everyday objects. this time, the french artist has transformed a red fiat coupé into a street food car, particularly a friterie, by cutting it up in two in the horizontal direction.

all images courtesy of benedetto bufalino

as a reflection on the functionality of our living environment, benedetto bufalino often employs design, art, or architecture methods to deform objects around us and divert them from their original use. in la voiture fiat coupé friterie, the artist collaborated with a team from creative lab la condition publique in roubaix to revisit a trademark object of the north: the friterie (fast food kiosk or van, particularly known for serving french fries).

by cutting it up in two in a horizontal direction, bufalino transformed the red fiat coupé into a one-of-a-kind street food car. the vehicle loses its original function to become a sculptural piece that acquires the role of a friterie, inviting the public to contemplate on the use of the car, but to also enjoy a convivial food tasting on the street.

project info:

name: la voiture fiat coupé friterie

artist: benedetto bufalino

co-producer: la condition publique roubaix, odyssey euralens, mons foundation 2025