maria papadimitriou brings a greek taxidermy shop to the venice art biennale

maria papadimitriou brings a greek taxidermy shop to the venice art biennale
all images courtesy T.A.M.A. temporary autonomous museum for all, and the artist

for the venice art biennale 2015, athens-born artist maria papadimitriou recreates a small shop found in the central greek town of volos within the venice’s giardini della biennale. the installation entitled ‘why look at animals? ‘agrimiká‘ — curated by gabi scardi, with alexios papazacharias — presents the carefully resituated interior of a store, which sells animal hides, leather and taxidermied animals. tools, books, newspaper clippings and intimate personal belongings including family photos and religious calendars are sited throughout the modest space, forming the personality and character of the boutique business.

the athens-born artist recreates a small shop found in the central greek town of volos

‘agrimiká’ is characterized by non-domesticate-able, untamed animals, ones which exist alongside humans in the reality where the roles of predator and prey are constantly changing. through the installation, papadimitriou explores our fascination with these creatures, our unusual and unclear relationship to them, and the human anthropocentrism that allows us to define ourselves as non-wild and completely different from them.

as described by the project statement, ‘this presentation of the relationship of humans to animals sparks series of concerns ranging from politics and history to economics and traditions, ethics and aesthetics, fear of the foreign and the incomprehensible’. additionally, the little shop in volos resituated inside the greek pavilion expresses the unique personality of its owner, who has witnessed a great part of the history of modern greece, and — unchanged by time and place — is similar to the surrounding space of the neoclassical pavilion it temporarily inhabits.

the little shop in volos resituated inside the greek pavilion expresses the unique personality of its owner

personal belongings and tools from the interior of the store are resituated within the greek pavilion

through the installation, papadimitriou explores our fascination with undomesticated creatures

newspaper clippings and photographs repurposed from the store are presented within the exhibition

photographs of greece show the progression of the country throughout modern history

the owner’s coffee cups, traditional metaxa liquor and personal items occupy the space

hides of animals sited outside of the store

the location in volos, greece

if you are visiting the venice art biennale this year, please don’t forget to use the hashtag #veniceart2015 to help us make the best selection of shows not to miss.