CLAIRE FONTAINE. Perché Napoli

Claire Fontaine is the fourth artist invited in “Perché Napoli?.” On this occasion the artist has realized the video entitled Tamed in which a retired Neapolitan, has been interviewed in his cellar situated in the historical center. The space contains specialized aquariums, a large tank, filters and heaters which host carnivorous fish.

In a sort of guided tour through the cave-like cellar, the video presents in a simple and direct way the passion of a man for exotic animals and aquariums. We listen to his stories and in doing so Claire Fontaine asks us to explore a world that is immaterial and aquatic, violent and mute, embracing the city’s identity that becomes a metaphor of something ever more disquieting.

Indeed, the usage of such a peculiar scenario brings the spectator in front of a myriad of possible interpretations, although two* in particular come to mind spontaneously: on one hand the carnivorous fish stands as a symbol, spotlighting mechanisms of submission that have always characterized the concept of labour. On the other hand, using a cellar for a video in whichfish are the protagonists seems to be a sarcastic commentary on the religiousness of the city—in the Roman era the first communities of Christians started using the acronym and then the symbol of a fish as a secret code—as well as a soft critique of Naples’ glorious past (the catacombs), which now is nothing more than a mere tourist attraction.

Claire Fontaine defines herself as a ready-made artist who emerged from the standardization of identity produced by capitalism. Her solo show “Interior Design for Bastards,” is currently on view at T293 Via dei Tribunali at the gallery space.

"Perché Napoli?" is a project by T293 for the city of Naples. Six chapters conceived by six artists for the exhibition space located in Piazza Amendola. The project cycle will conclude with the publication of a book, edited by Lucie Fontaine and presented during the final opening. "Perché Napoli?" is additionally supported by Paul Thorel.

“Hegel's discussion of the dialectic of the Master and Slave is an attempt to show that asymmetric recognitive relations are metaphysically defective, that the norms they institute aren't the right kind to help us think and act with to make it possible for us to think and act”. Robert Brandom

CLAIRE FONTAINE 
Perché Napoli?