Natasha Tontey's "Primate Visions: Macaque Macabre," 2024-25
Briefly

Natasha Tontey's first institutional show presents an immersive installation that artfully investigates the coexistence of humans and primates, utilizing elements of existentialism and humor. The exhibition, featuring playful pieces such as a monkey-like armchair and a flesh-pink carpet, sets a thoughtful context for reflections on Indigenous spirituality's role in understanding our evolutionary connection. Through a video narrative filled with quirky characters like Imago Organella, the installation interweaves nonlinear storytelling with critical cultural commentary, confronting greenwashing politics and the complexities of scientific uncertainty in the relationship between species.
"Tontey's installation blends existential themes with playful dark humor, engaging audiences in a dialogue over the often fraught relationship between humans and primates."
"The show invites viewers to reflect on Indigenous spirituality as a valuable lens through which to address human-primate coexistence and evolutionary ties."
Read at Artforum
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