Manifesta purposely strives to keep its distance from what are often seen as the dominant centres of artistic production, instead seeking fresh and fertile terrain for the mapping of a new cultural topography.
Manifesta 15 Barcelona will be taking place in Barcelona and 11 surrounding metropolitan cities
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Eva Chettle, FR
Installation view, 2024 © Eva Chettle. Photo © Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana / Helena Roig.
Eva Chettle has been drawn to collecting elements from the natural world since her early childhood - shells, bones, seeds, roots and more. Once removed from their native habitats, these fragments transform into relics, prized for their shape, colour and beauty.
Interestingly, these diverse remnants of the past always seem to assemble in perfect harmony, fashioning hybrid creatures akin to both aliens and prehistoric beings. In a way, they experience a resurrection, transitioning from natural decay and eventual obscurity to becoming integral components of a sculptural ensemble known as 'Chimera'.
Beyond their formal and aesthetic allure, Chettle endeavours to transport viewers into the realm of the unknown. Through her own bestiary, she narrates the behaviours of each inhabitant, prompting reflection on our perception of reality and challenging the assumptions we hold dear. In doing so, she offers nuanced variations to Darwin's Theory of Evolution, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of the natural world.