Little John / Exhibition

The exhibition titled Little John refers to a significant artistic achievement in the history of art in the second half of the 20th century. The exhibition uses Joseph Beuys' iconic artwork I Like America and America Likes Me as the phenomenological essence of the spirit that permeates it. This 1974 performance by the German artist, in which he wrapped himself in felt upon arriving in America, was transported by a local rescue service and confined in a room with a live wild coyote named Little John for several days. It was not only a symbol of creating a certain non-hierarchical relationship between two living entities, but also a tribute to the wild animal that is a symbol of the original Native American population of America.

With this social sculpture, Beuys pointed to societal psychological wounds. He was not interested in America, as the harsh capitalist machinery did not seem at all inspiring to him. Beuys was not only interested in animals, but also in plants and natural sciences as such.

As Beuys himself said, "My whole life is advertising, but someone should be interested in what I promoted." The exhibition presents international artists who refer to the points of contact where we can find various angles on animals and their relationship with us. Symbiotic relationships are sometimes dramatically and sometimes poetically mixed with scientific, ethical, activist, or artistic thinking.

Exhibiting artists: Barbara Benish, Polina Davydenko, Dominik Gajarský, Terike Haapoja and Laura Gustafsson, Anna Hulačová, Zdena Kolečková, Denisa Langrová, Diana Lelonek, Hana Nováková and Vladimíra Večeřová

Host: Oscar Salguero

Curator: Tea Záchová