Mika Rottenberg’s practice combines film, architectural installation, and sculpture to explore ideas of labour and the production of value in our hyper-capitalist world
Using traditions of both cinema and sculpture, New York-based artist Mika Rottenberg seeks out locations around the world where specific systems of production and commerce are in place, such as a pearl factory in China, and a Calexico border town. Through the editing process, and with footage from sets built in her studio, Rottenberg connects seemingly disparate places and things to create elaborate and subversive visual narratives. By weaving fact and fiction together, she highlights the inherent beauty and absurdity of our contemporary existence.
Each of Rottenberg’s video works is situated within a theatrical installation, made up of objects from the lush and bizarre parallel worlds in her videos. Sacks of pearls, deflated pool toys, plastic flowers and sizzling frying pans seem to open a portal into the realm of the work. Her multidimensional film projects are often accompanied by standalone sculptural works, connected by allegory.
Mika Rottenberg visited CERN several times as a guest artist in 2018.
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