Penelope
This sculpture consists of electronic and mechanical elements that materialize lower limbs. The knees seem to be bent in a position of momentum or submission. The reuse of orthopaedic prostheses makes Penelope into the “little sister” of Olga, a sculpture created in 2018. The common model of a metal frame in the shape of a human body stems from the denunciation of air and water pollution. The artist acquired the components for these works at a flea market in Iztapalapa, one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Mexico City. The heavy environmental pollution there leads to the appearance of deformities in children, and therefore to an abundance of prostheses. Close attention to the recovered prosthesis reveals that it belonged to a child who decorated it with cartoon characters during his recovery. That child’s name was Penelope. Berenice Olmedo honours each healed child by naming the piece after the former child owner, like an ex-voto. The sculpture can also perform movements to make it stand up and walk. However, this is a choreography that is repeatedly performed in vain, with Penelope inevitably falling back onto her knees.
Text written by Manon Prévost-Van Dooren as part of the partnership between the École du Louvre and Lafayette Anticipations – Fonds de dotation Famille Moulin.
Exhibitions
CAPC musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (France)
from 06 Apr to 03 Sep 2023
Port Building, 2nd Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Riga (Lettonie)
from 20 Aug to 13 Sep 2020