Feb 7th 2015

Veronika Merklein: Fat Pig

@ Defibrillator Gallery

1463 W Chicago Ave., Chicago IL

Opening Saturday, February 7th, from 7PM - 11PM

On view through Saturday, February 14th

Defibrillator Gallery will celebrate a grand re-opening at their new location with a solo show by VERONIKA MERKLEIN called FAT PIG. The opening will feature a durational performance on SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY from 7-11PM with Sharon Hoyer, Chris Puente, Emer Kinsella, and Angela Trakas. DFBRL8R is now located at 1463 W CHICAGO AVENUE.

FAT PIG is a celebration of body diversity, especially fat bodies. Veronika Merklein takes a keen look at the psychological precariousness we feel when we differ physically from the world around us. Merklein’s overweight/chubby/plus-size/heavy-set body is a catalyst in her mission to redefine fat identity. Her works orbit around performance immanent topics, pop cultural and sociopolitical phenomenons, and her own writings about the pure and brutal (inner) life of human beings. Veronika shines a light on those who, because of their bodies, become victims of corporate, political or medical speculation. Her research encompasses obesity and similar issues such as industrialized and capitalist food production, arbitrary dietary criteria, corrupt safety research, faulty monitoring systems, devious marketing strategies, and rampant discriminatory practices regarding weight, health and nutrition.

In her multimedia performance works involving, food, text, photography, object, and installation, Veronika Merklein stages herself as a protagonist. Born in 1982, the German artist received her degrees from the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and the School of Art and Design Kassel. In 2012, she worked on the research project “archiv performativ” at Zurich University of the Arts. Currently living in Vienna, she is a Chicago artist-in-residence through the Austrian Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture.

FAT PIG is made possible by support from the Federal Chancellery of Austria; Austrian Cultural Forum New York; and Radical Root Farm. Defibrillator is partially supported by grants from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation and The Illinois Arts Council Agency.

FAT PIG will include videos, photos, and objects on view during gallery hours SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY through SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY from 12-6PM; a video screening on WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY at 7PM; and a light brunch and artist talk on SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY at Noon. A $5-10 donation is requested at events.

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