Eva Koťátková -
In the Body of a Fish Out of Water

December 7, 2019-February 9, 2020
@ Kestner Gesellschaft, Hanover (DE)

Central themes of Eva Kot'átková's works are everyday power relations and the effects of social norming on the human physique and psyche. The artist develops a counter design to these forms of oppression, inequality and constriction with the central work of the exhibition "Machine for Restoring Empathy" (2019). The walk-in installation, reminiscent of garments sewn together, becomes a living organism that incorporates animals, people, plants, objects, and their relationship to one another. Exemplary of Koťátková's participatory approach, the work is activated with sewing and storytelling workshops, where different groups of visitors share their experiences and continuously develop the work. In the exhibition, Koťátková's works combine to form a network based on care, inclusion and compassion. Humans, animals, plants and objects are on equal footing in it. The interplay of sculptures, drawings, videos and performances thus questions the unconsciously or consciously learned rules that determine our thinking and behavior and opens up a new way of perceiving the world around us.

Curator: Lea Altner
Photos: China Hopson