The invitation to collaborate with an artist whose work is highly regarded is always a surprise and a joy.

Roberto Cuoghi invited me to think about the presentation of a series of works in the monumental spaces of the Fridericianum in Kassel and in particular to take on a body of work from the  Imitatio Christi. A work emblematic of his work shown in the form of an inflatable dome laboratory at the Italian Pavilion of the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017.

The Imitatio Christi 2017/2022 Agar Agar project is a continuation of this work, with the presentation of body parts made from algae, which are displayed in two twin rooms of the museum.  

Agar Agar takes shape in reference to the place of extraction and the practice of extracting seaweed.

I took the traditional rake to collect the goëmon and Roberto Cuoghi took the rake to arrange, pierce and present his works... 

Traditionally, the out-of-proportion rake was used by the men to collect the seaweed in the water and the women, a little further back on the beach, collected the heaps and carried them on a carrying ladder, which also serves as a support in the exhibition.  

The rakes and ladders are very brightly colored and reactivate the different works scattered on them. 

To restore the seaweed in its ecosystem and echo the monumentality of the spaces,

I proposed to integrate two boat-sculptures for the harvesting of red algae.

A different boat in each room, one of which constitutes a platform for presenting the works and the second, a workshop with moulds and dedicated equipment, in order to integrate the making of the work into the very heart of the work, as Roberto Cuoghi does.

The boats with their very geometric shapes, in contrast, highlight the details and the human aspect of the works.