Alicia Framis: Performance and Activism at Sala Alcalá 31

Sala Alcalá 31 in Madrid, housed in a 1940s building by Antonio Palacios, presents 'Pabellón de género', a solo exhibition by Spanish artist Alicia Framis (Barcelona, 1967), who lives and works in Amsterdam. Curated by Margherita de Aizpuru, the show brings together works from the last twenty years, exploring themes of gender, social roles, and activism through performance, fashion, and architecture. The centerpiece is a new performance, 'The walking ceiling', where clergy women carry a glass slab on their heads, referencing the glass ceiling women face in professional advancement. The exhibition is divided across two floors: ground floor projects focus on architecture and alternative living (e.g., 'Figlie senza figlie' for childfree women, 'One night tent' for sex, 'Century 22 Real Estate' for diverse couples), while the upper floor features fashion projects like 'Mamamen' baby-carrying suits for men and 'Anti_Dog' anti-sexist and anti-racist clothing. Videos document performances in Madrid, Berlin, and Amsterdam. A previously unseen film shows a 2006 Loewe-commissioned performance where nude men modeled only the brand's bags, which was censored. The performance was limited to the opening days. The exhibition runs until January 27, 2019.