In this workshop, Chaile shares his artistic journey and practice, between the idea of “social sculpture” and performance. Over two days, at MNAC and in his studio, the artist will question and propose a reflection and artistic practice around the concepts of engineering necessity, the functionality of the precarious, cooperativism, and decolonialism.
Chaile develops his anthropological and visual research based on two key concepts that run through his work. These are: the “engineering of necessity,” which consists of using art to create objects and structures that contribute to improving the conditions of a given extreme situation; and the “genealogy of form,” which implies assuming that each object, in its historical repetition, brings with it a story to tell, which is recovered and updated in relation to a new context. The artist uses both axioms to create sculptures, make paintings, build large-scale installations, and performative actions that make visible and give voice to different communities that have been overshadowed by history and power structures.
In this workshop, Chaile shares his artistic journey and practice, between the concepts of engineering of necessity, “social sculpture,” and performance. Over two days, at MNAC and in his studio, the artist will address issues related to the functionality of the precarious, cooperativism, decolonialism, and all kinds of social projects.
Biography
One of the most dynamic artists of his generation, Gabriel Chaile (1985, Tucumán, Argentina) holds a degree in Visual Arts from the National University of Tucumán. In 2009, he received a scholarship from the YPF Foundation, which allowed him to take part in the first edition of the Artists Program launched by Torcuato Di Tella University. In 2010, he was selected to participate in Lipac, an art program at the Ricardo Rojas Cultural Center.
Attentive to issues of anthropology, postcolonial theory, and Conceptual Art, Chaile produces sculptures from natural materials and found objects that bring new life to contemporary South American art—creations that have an impact on space, relationships, and communities, and bring people together with the sacred rituals of food and sharing.
The artistic relevance of his creative and anthropological approach has been recognized worldwide, and Chaile’s work has been exhibited and praised for its powerful impressions in various museums and institutions in America and Europe. His latest works include “Time, Times, and Half a Time” (Barro, New York, USA, 2023), “Migrantes São Bem-vindos” (Kunsthalle Lissabon, Lisbon, 2022), “Sonia” (El ondulatorio, La Rioja, 2018); “Proto,” a film by Gabriel Chaile (Galería Ruby, Buenos Aires, 2017); “Patricia,” curated by Laura Hackel (Museo de Arte Moderno, Buenos Aires, 2017); “Mi nombre es legión porque somos muchos” (Centro Cultural San Pablo T, Tucumán, 2016); “No es culpa mía si viene del río” (Recoleta Cultural Center, Buenos Aires, 2015); “Salir del surco al labrar la tierra, delirios de grandeza II” (National Arts Fund, Buenos Aires, 2014).
