The Maelström Reloaded

Santiago Sierra

7 June - 29 June, 2024

"The Maelström Reloaded" showcases the latest works of Santiago Sierra, artist renowned for his critique of power structures perpetuating social and economic inequalities. Sierra's artistic practice directly addresses human rights abuses, offering a keen analysis of the realities experienced by communities on the margins of society. Through installations, performance, and photography, his works embody a politicised artistic approach, engaging in critical reflection on contemporary socio-political conditions. His work relentlessly challenges Western hegemonic ideologies, exposing the dynamics of global oppression.

At the heart of the exhibition lies "The Maelström", a video created in Gambia in May 2023. This 34-minute video features a repeated excerpt of a speech by Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stating, "Europe is a garden and the rest of the world is a jungle." This statement highlights the persistent colonial and racist attitudes ingrained in Western social and economic power. The video depicts young Gambians from the Tallinding United football team performing police arrest positions, their faces obscured to render them anonymous silhouettes. The repetition of these movements creates a visual vortex, symbolising the oppressive forces at play, with Borrell's voice reinforcing hegemonic narratives.

Complementing this installation are other two works that delve into the concepts of dominance and resistance. "Two Exercises Sequences for a Popular Gymnastics" (2023) is a series of photographic prints examining the dual role of the human body as a site of submission and rebellion. Ordinary individuals are depicted performing gymnastic exercises, symbolising both the potential for discipline and emancipation within the collective body. Furthering this reflection is "Teeth of Palestinian" (2024), a photographic print continuing Sierra's practice of using the human body, particularly teeth, as a means to expose the daily struggles and systemic oppressions endured by these communities. Together, these works integrate a comprehensive critique of oppressive power structures, emphasising the role of the body in political and social resistance.

Alongside the artworks, Nicolas Cox will perform live during the weekend, materialising and staging the stills and video. This interaction between visual art and live performance enhanced the exhibition and broadened the reading of the issues raised through an embedded practice.

"The Maelström Reloaded" responds to the current critical historical moment by offering a layered reading and challenging the audience to confront deeply-rooted systems of oppression often obscured by dominant narratives. Sierra believes that addressing uncomfortable issues such as power hierarchies, class structures, and the exploitation of individuals is crucial to understanding our society and environment. His distrust of proposed futures and attention to the present underline the urgency of examining the consequences of our actions and our responsibility in shaping power structures that, in the words of Frantz Fanon, subjugate 'the wretched of the earth.

Text by Agnese Politi

Photography by Iouri Podladtchikov