This catalogue accompanies three solo exhibitions in which two threads in Amelia Pica's practice are brought together: communication between humans and exchange between species. It includes a series of essays on animal rights and the artistic practice of the Argentine artist, as well as documents and an iconographic ensemble.
This catalogue accompanies solo exhibitions by Amalia Pica at three venues: “Ears to speak” at The Power Plant in Toronto and “Please open hurry” at the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, and Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. Two threads in Pica's practice are brought together: communication between humans and exchange between species. The artist raises questions of mutual understanding through constructing forums that address shared experience. Illustrations of primate and human social models and interpersonal communication in the publication are accompanied by documentation of performances that enact social hierarchies and animal-language studies. Volker Sommer writes about his work on animal rights and the initiative to establish a “community of equals,” and Filipa Ramos reflects on primate anthropologists Jane Goodall and Gregory Bateson. A conversation between Carolin Köchling and Pica considers her artistic practice, and Eugenio Viola and Pica discuss the performative element of the artworks.
Published following exhibitions “Ears to speak”, at Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto, from September 29 to December 31, 2017; “Please open hurry”, at the Institute of Modern Art, Brisbane, from November 18, 2017, to March 10, 2018; at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, from August 4 to October 7, 2018.
Born 1978 in Neuquén Capital, Argentina, Amalia Pica lives and works in London.
Contributions by Aileen Burns & Johan Lundh, Rafael Ortega, Filipa Ramos, Volker Sommer, interviews with Amalia Pica by Carolin Köchling and Eugenio Viola.
