Tomás Saraceno’s Anima∞le: Art That Shares Ownership with Animals
At the Pinksummer gallery in Genoa, Tomás Saraceno presents his exhibition Anima∞le, which transforms the traditional white cube into a habitat for various species, including spiders, insects, birds, dogs, and cats. Buyers are required to sign a certificate that recognizes these animal inhabitants as co-owners. This exhibition builds on his earlier 2023 show at the Serpentine Gallery, titled Web(s) of Life, created in partnership with The Royal Parks. Saraceno collaborated with director Ilaria Bonacossa to modify the gallery for animal comfort, utilizing natural paints and avoiding wall painting. Notable works include “Malevich for dogs.” Additionally, he partnered with beekeeper Alberto Pesavento for Out-of-cell time, with proceeds benefiting Pesavento. Saraceno’s Aerocene foundation advocates for eco-social justice, and he expressed criticism of Trump in a New York Times interview. Future endeavors include a publication with Filipa Ramos.
Key facts
- Exhibition Anima∞le by Tomás Saraceno at Pinksummer, Genoa, is ongoing.
- The show is part of his Cloud City series, designed for multiple species.
- Buyers must sign a certificate of authenticity acknowledging animal co-ownership.
- Direct antecedent was Web(s) of Life at Serpentine Gallery in 2023.
- At Serpentine, Saraceno coordinated with The Royal Parks for bird nesting.
- Pinksummer is located in Palazzo Ducale, Genoa; director Ilaria Bonacossa also curated his 2014 show at Villa Croce.
- Works include 'Malevich for dogs'—scented canvases for dogs to lick.
- Out-of-cell time by Alberto Pesavento: honeycomb pieces, 100% proceeds to the beekeeper.
- Aerocene foundation (est. 2015) supports eco-social justice and indigenous communities in Jujuy, Argentina.
- Profits from Aerocene-related works split among studio, galleries, and communities via FARN.
- Saraceno called Trump 'the poorest person in the world' in a New York Times interview.
- Upcoming publication with Filipa Ramos; Arachnophilia conversation with multiple researchers.
Entities
Artists
- Tomás Saraceno
- Alberto Pesavento
- Ilaria Bonacossa
- Luca Cerizza
- Filipa Ramos
- Ally Bisshop
- Roland Mühlethaler
- David Zeitlyn
- Vinciane Despret
- Peter Jäger
- Stefano Mancuso
- Giorgio Agamben
- Bert Theis
- Jason W. Moore
Institutions
- Pinksummer
- Serpentine Gallery
- The Royal Parks
- Palazzo Ducale
- Villa Croce
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Isola Art Center
- Aerocene
- FARN
- New York Times
- Università di Oxford
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum
- Artribune
Locations
- Genoa
- Italy
- Berlin
- Germany
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Milan
- Jujuy
- Argentina
- Salinas Grandes
- Laguna de Guayatayoc
- San Miguel De Tucmán
- Francoforte
- Camerun