CONTRA (Natura)
Curatorial project
Field of Research: Art-biology-non-organic life-Media.
Artists:
Hernando Velandia
Karen Aune
Angie Jaimes
Mauricio Jaramillo
Gabriel Silva
Fredy Álzate
Johanna Arenas
Rafael Gomesbarros
Lorena Ortiz
Camilo Bojaca
Felipe García
Fredy Forero
Ivonne Villamil
David Peña
Jean Barbato
Evelyn Tovar
William cruz
Margarita Moreno + German Benincore
Andrés Matías Pinilla
Mario Vélez
Jaime Ávila
Silvana Unigarro
Sonia Rojas
Giovanni Antonio Ayala
Diego Gómez Campuzano
Laura Jiménez Galvis
Curator: John Ángel Rodríguez
Contra–Natura
“Contra-Natura” is a collective exhibition that brings together the work of 27 artists. This exhibition explores practices that originate from the combination of artistic and scientific experimentation to understand how nature is structured and organizes us. Each of the works in the exhibition raises discussions on boundaries based on non-organic life, loss, and radiation, and how these factors play into questions of social development and growth.
This creative project establishes a series of contrasting relationships between the works displayed by the artists and the curatorial postulate. In this context, the works indicate processes of substitution and simulation of organic life. Therefore, the “Contra-Natura” proposal can be understood as the persistent dichotomy in a world where avatars are now a reality, not only discursively but also in social and political life.
This condition can be identified within the wide range of natures modified, altered, and replaced by synthetic mutations. “Contra-Natura” reflects on the contradictions and bifurcations of political systems and economic models that deny notions of sustainability, renewable energy, and the equilibrium between different ecosystems. Indeed, human beings often perform actions that unbalance nature, creating a so-called anthropic system, which consists of elements that go hand in hand with the technological, urban, industrial, and cultural development of society.
Related Terms:
Bioarte or Bio-Art is one of the most recent trends developed by contemporary art. It uniquely assumes biotechnology as a medium. Genetics, morphological transformations, and biomechanical constructions are some of the techniques used by bio-art artists, raising ethical and social issues related to the development of biotechnology.
BioArt also includes an artistic trend that involves a manufacturing process in balance with the environment. For instance, it takes into account the use of recyclable and reusable materials for the production of creative pieces in harmony with the environment.
