Flesh of a Dead Nature

Defamiliarization as an Artistic Strategy

The Defamiliarization of everyday objects is a central strategy in art history, used by artists like Marcel Duchamp (readymades) and in the surrealistic objects of Salvador Dalí. Transforming fruits, vegetables, and household items into grotesque vessels for meat recalls this tradition but goes further: these works combine Defamiliarization with a clear political message.

The minced meat in a banana peel or a slice of ham among green leaves disrupts habitual perception and creates a moment of disorientation. This visual disruption compels viewers to think about the meaning behind the objects—a hallmark of critical art.


Dead Nature

The title, Flesh of a Dead Nature, draws upon the artistic and philosophical concept of Natura Morta (still life), traditionally used to depict objects in a moment of stasis, often symbolizing mortality and the passage of time. In these works, the notion of "dead nature" is expanded and literalized: natural elements like fruits, vegetables, and plants are physically invaded by flesh, turning them into grotesque amalgamations.

This reinterpretation challenges the historical idealization of still life painting as a celebration of abundance or beauty. Instead, it reflects on the consequences of industrial exploitation, where nature is no longer alive or autonomous but subjected to the human-driven cycle of death and consumption. The title suggests a nature that has been metaphorically and literally killed, stripped of vitality, and repurposed into grotesque commodities.


Dead Flesh

The notion of dead flesh is intrinsic to the works, both as a physical material and as a metaphorical construct. Raw meat is not just a symbol of death but also of disconnection: it is flesh devoid of identity, stripped of the living being it once belonged to. By inserting this dead flesh into objects typically associated with life—like fruits, plants, or even an eggshell—the artworks heighten the tension between life and death, natural and unnatural.

This juxtaposition underscores the alienation inherent in industrial meat production, where living creatures are reduced to anonymous, packaged commodities. In this sense, the works challenge the viewer to confront the reality of what lies behind the sanitized images of meat in supermarkets and advertising.