Bianca Kennedy & The Swan Collective
SÜPERB SÜRPRISE

Ranging from genetic engineering over the technical and digital revolution to the creation of cyborgs – the human pursuit of perfection and constant improvement of life conditions is boundless. Who, however, acknowledges development potential to the Homo sapiens only, is clearly wrong. With good cause research focuses on the investigation of plant intelligence: Striking survival and defense strategies with complex signal and communication systems can be observed in flora as much as in fauna. 

What would be the consequence if – in the course of enduring evolution and science – human, animal and plant became one species? Since hybridization is not only a common practice in animal and plant breeding, but has contributed to the development of today’s human being, a genetic cross-over may appear weird yet imaginable. Bianca Kennedy and Felix Kraus, member of the Swan Collective, have invented a scenario as such in their film “Hybrid” (2014). It is based on the comprehensive installation LIFE 3.0 from 2013 in which the artists explore new life forms in the year 3.000 through an architecture and landscape model with screens and sound. Can these composite creatures benefit from their new abilities? Which conflicts will arise if photosynthesis is refused or the eating of salad is punished for cannibalism?

With a female voice-over the film tells the personal story of a hybrid that, after several transformations, reflects on inner conflicts but also violent confrontations between humans and hybrids. The interior monologue becomes visualized in bright as well as dark images which seem to be familiar and likewise eerie. The film’s mystical and uncanny atmosphere is mirrored in the exhibition space of Esther Donatz Gallery where Bianca Kennedy & The Swan Collective have installed a fun fair setting. Besides wooden inlay works and neon objects, a bizarre market stall offers DNA-extending substances which are not sold according to capitalist principles but raffled off. What would it be like to have roots as a water reservoir reducing the regular need for water? Good luck!

Bianca Kennedy (*1989 in Leipzig) has studied media art at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich since 2011. Apart from exhibitions in Munich, Nuremberg and Essen, she has shown videos in cities like Kassel, Würzburg and Rostock as well as in Sri Lanka and Vietnam. Works by her were selected for the DVD compilation of the Goethe Institute two years in succession.

Felix Kraus (*1986 in Munich), initiator of the Swan collective, completed his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Munich this year. His works have been exhibited in institutions, such as W139, Amsterdam, Kunstmuseum Ahlen, Kunsthalle Schweinfurt or, recently, at Staatliches Museum Ägyptischer Kunst München (State Museum of Egyptian Art Munich). Moreover, as part of the Swan Collective, Felix Kraus has participated in shows and screenings in London, Berlin and Hamburg-Harburg. He was awarded the First Prize at the Bundesfestival Video Ludwigsburg for his film “LiverFuck™”.

Bianca Kennedy & The Swan Collective have been collaborating on selected projects since 2013. Until recently, works by the artists were on display at Kunstarkaden, Munich.

Contact

Esther Donatz
esther(at)galeriedonatz.de

Nadine Seligmann
nadine(at)galeriedonatz.de

Phone: +49 89 70 07 62 00