Hannah Black's 'Aeter' at Eden Eden explores shame, cannibalism, and psychoanalysis through sculpture and video
The exhibition 'Aeter' by Hannah Black was showcased at Eden Eden in Berlin from 26 November 2018 to 2 February 2019, delving into topics such as slavery, cannibalism, and psychoanalytic countertransference. It included two clay sculptures, Clay Aeter 1 and 2, representing the concept of mutual cannibalization. White plastic masks, titled Shame Mask 1, 2, and 3, hang suspended, reminiscent of tribal artifacts and evoking feelings of shame. The banner Curse of Ham 1 alludes to a biblical text that legitimizes slavery and features a still from the film 'Shame' with Michael Fassbender. Video pieces Aeter [Sam] and Aeter [Jack] explore themes of bone transplants and nail biting as forms of cannibalism, while Hey 1, 2, and 3 present anxious text messages. Black’s identity as a woman of color and D.W. Winnicott’s theories shape the exhibition, which employs six citations rather than conventional press releases.
Key facts
- Hannah Black's exhibition 'Aeter' was held at Eden Eden in Berlin from 26 November to 2 February 2019.
- Clay sculptures Clay Aeter 1 and Clay Aeter 2 undergo a continuous process of cannibalization by a gallery worker.
- Shame Mask 1, 2 and 3 are white plastic masks with jewellery, questioning their role in shame management.
- Curse of Ham 1 is a banner referencing a biblical passage used to justify slavery, with eyeholes revealing a film still of Michael Fassbender.
- Video works Aeter [Sam] and Aeter [Jack] explore cannibalism through interviews about bone transplants and nail biting.
- Hey 1, 2 and 3 are video monitors displaying awkward text messages, creating an intimate, anxious viewer experience.
- The psychoanalyst D.W. Winnicott's theories on psychosis and shame inform the exhibition's conceptual framework.
- The Situation, a pile of ash on carpet, references a book from Black's 2017 show at Chisenhale Gallery in London.
Entities
Artists
- Hannah Black
- Steve McQueen
- Michael Fassbender
- D.W. Winnicott
Institutions
- Eden Eden
- Chisenhale Gallery
- ArtReview
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom