FLAT // LAND & Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
August 6, 2024
What is an animal? Can we humans make friends with animals?
Until 22 September, Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp presents “The Lives of Animals”, an exciting group show that blends visual arts, literature, and animal studies to explore the question of what an animal is.
Inspired by J.M. Coetzee’s novella also titled The Lives of Animals, the show includes works by the German-Iraqi artist and activist Lin May Saeed, known for having dedicated her artistic life to animal liberation.
Notably, the show also includes works by the Rotterdam-based Palestinian artist Noor Abuarafeh. Using footage from zoos in Palestine, Switzerland, and Egypt, Abuarafeh’s work shows us that caged zoo animals are presented in very similar ways to lifeless museum objects.
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Image: Lin May Saeed, ASYL – The Liberation of Animals from their Cages VI, 2008/09 Photo- Wolfgang Günzel Courtesy- “Estate Lin May Saeed”, Jacky Strenz, Frankfurt/Main, Installation views The Lives of Animals (08 June – 22 September 2024), M HKA © Photography by Kristien Daem.