Viral Barista Will Serve Up Latte Performance Art at Art Basel Hong Kong

Yes, it’s ridiculous, but Kazuki Yamamoto has won fame as a master of latte art, the Japan Daily Press reports. The 26-year-old Japanese barista typically pours excess foam milk on top of a cup of tea or coffee and then sculpts or draws his subjects using a metal pick, coffee, or cocoa powder. Each “artwork” takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Yamamoto, who has amassed more than 120,000 Twitter followers (@george_10g), quit his day job at a Tokyo cafe and will be touring Hong Kong during Art Basel Hong Kong for a series of “live performances” of his latte art.

Latte art by 26-year-old Japanese barista Kazuki Yamamoto.

Latte art by 26-year-old Japanese barista Kazuki Yamamoto.

—Benjamin Genocchio