Agnes Questionmark's Mermaid Performance at Milan Train Station

Since May 4, travelers at Milan's Stazione Milano Lancetti have encountered a mermaid-like figure inside a large display case. The work is actually a long-durational performance titled CHM13hTERT, by artist Agnes Questionmark, visible until May 19 at 8 PM. It is part of the exhibition season unpostoIMPOSSIBILE at spazioSERRA. For twelve hours a day over sixteen consecutive days, the performer hangs suspended by cables and straps from a metal structure. Her hybrid body, half-human and half-marine, symbolizes the genetic evolution of the species: CHM13hTERT is a cell line used to assemble the first complete human genome sequence in a lab, enabling DNA reading and editing through genomic editing techniques. Curator Arturo Passacantando of The Orange Garden states that Questionmark challenges notions of origin and destiny, reflecting on humanity's biological and anthropological potential by creating hybrid anthropomorphic creatures. Born in 1995, the artist works across performance, installation, and sculpture to investigate species origins and future possibilities in connection with nature and new technologies. She recently presented a performance at the Italian Pavilion of the 14th Gwangju Biennale titled Drowned in Living Waters (2023) and the sculpture Draco Piscis (2023), both focused on water's generative and transformative force. Questionmark lives in Rome, where she graduated in Political Science and International Relations.