curated by danniel tostes and lari medawar
La Collective
Rue de l'Ecole-de-Chimie 4, Geneva
Yannick Haas
Hsuan Lee
Nayansaku Mufwankolo
Lyz Parayzo
Eda Phanlert Sriprom
Vasil Shterev
danniel tostes and lari medawar
Satellites features the works of Juno B, Jonas Van, Yannick Haas, Hsuan Lee, Nayansaku Mufwankolo, Lyz Parayzo, Eda Phanlert Sriprom, and Vasil Shterev. Each artist offers a unique perspective on the ways in which bodies interact, connect, and influence one another within the complex systems of culture,
society, and space.
Reflecting José Esteban Muñoz’s vision of queerness as a horizon of transformative potential, the exhibition invites viewers to engage with works that not only reflect the present but also gesture toward future possibilities, where identities and bodies transcend the oppressive norms of heteronormativity, racism, and capitalism.
In the introduction room, Jonas Van’s Exambiguation investigates the limitations of human language. This work addresses the concept of exambiguation—the interpretation of a word with multiple meanings or spellings—by repeating the word until its meaning is transformed. This exploration of language’s constraints resonates with Hsuan Lee’s Devenir une Oiselle, a deeply personal reflection on her experience undergoing ovarian cancer treatment and its impact on her relationship with gender. Together, these pieces create a powerful narrative of transformation and reinterpretation.
This narrative is further enriched by Nayansaku Mufwankolo’s Afro-erotic Reading, which introduces a spiritual dimension to the space. Mufwankolo’s work seamlessly blends au- tobiographical and fictional elements, crafting a mystical atmosphere where the personal and universal intersect.
In the hallway, a dynamic exchange occurs between the works of Juno B, Yannick Haas, and Eda Phanlert Sriprom. Juno B’s ceramic sculpture Zé, depicts a young figure shielding their breasts, symbolizing protection and care. This piece, which is connected to the process of mastectomy, poignantly reflects themes of transition and bodily transformation, becoming a symbol of strength and vulnerability.
Yannick Haas’s tile ceramics challenge the boundaries between public and private by incorporating pornographic images sourced from social media into tiles and integrating edited self-portraits. Haas’s work exposes typically concealed aspects of identity, encouraging a critical examination of intimacy and visibility in the digital age. Eda Phanlert Sriprom’s installation, Sexplicit, created by the Berlin-based artist originally from Bangkok, transcends social constructs through a spiritual approach, integrating textile tapestries and sculptures made from discarded monk robes alongside an intimate self-portrait. This work celebrates her beloved Buddha, embracing a transcendent spiritual experience.
The collaborative video by Jonas Van and Juno B offers a reimagined narrative of Frankenstein, connecting the story of the nameless creature, crafted from different body parts and marked by scars, to the
experiences of transmasculine individuals. The duo explores how their personal journeys resonate with the themes of identity and transformation in Frankenstein, creating a new text that bridges their realities with the
iconic tale.
Vasil Shterev’s analog photographs offer an unfiltered and genuine portrayal of in- dividuals who celebrate their bodies, sexualities, and identities in Zurich’s nightlife. Shterev captures the vibrancy and authenticity of these moments, presenting them as a testament to the
joy and complexity of human expression.
In the pink room, Lyz Parayzo presents an installation that highlights her varied body of work, including the metal sculpture Bixinha (2018). This piece materializes reflections on Brazilian art history, violence, and the tactics of resistance experienced by trans bodies, non-normative identities, and dissident subjectivities. Bixinha tran- scends its role as a mere sculpture, doubling as a “weapon” used in various performances by the artist.
Parayzo complements this installation with Salon Parayzo, featuring the performance Manucure Politique, an artistic expression that combines theatrical installation with the practice of providing manicure services. This performance creates an interactive and welcoming space where issues of gender-based violence and gender performance are discussed while offering free manicures in the exhibition space. Additionally, Parayzo presents a video interview with Bia Menezes, a Rio de Janeiro-based artisan who has been creating panties and bikinis for trans women for over 20 years. This video underscores the intersections of art, fashion, and the lived experiences of trans women, contributing to the broader narrative of identity and empowerment within the exhibition.
Satellites challenge viewers to reconsider the bodies that surround us and the ways they move and orbit within a diverse system of identities and experiences. Like satellites in space, the selected works engage in a continuous dance, a choreography that transcends borders and territories, linking different perspectives. Through their aesthetic and conceptual approaches, the artists create a dynamic network of relationships, where bodies are not just physical entities but also carriers of meaning, history, and possibilities.
This exhibition invites us to contemplate how bodies, akin to celestial objects, are in constant flux, shaped by visible and invisible forces. The exhibition space transforms into a microcosm where the rhythms and trajectories of these bodies are altered, new relationships are forged, and the gravitational pull of shared experiences draws us into a deeper understanding of our own place in the universe. As you navigate through this exhibition, we encourage you to engage with the artworks not just as isolated pieces but as parts of a larger system of interconnections. Reflect on how your own body orbits within this space, interacts with the works, and contributes to the ever-changing choreography of identities and narratives.