The Lives of Animals

Filip Van Dingenen is a Belgian multi­disciplinary artist with a strong interest in anthropology. He rejects the human tendency to hold on to customs and artificial constructions such as zoos, circuses or traditional games. Instead, he questions our traditions and follows the traces of the non-human voice in doing so. In his projects, he often refers to a colonial past, imperialism and power structures, exploring the biogra­phy of animals. His project, Flota Nfumu (2009) is about the world-famous albino gorilla called Snowflake (1964–2003). In the 1960s, the gorilla was captured in his home country of Equatorial Guinea before being sold and transported to Barcelona Zoo. He became a public fa­vourite, but eventually died in captivity. Van Dingenen’s projects raise questions about the human fascination with exoti­cism, entertainment and greed. 

The multimedia project Zoonation (2002–2006) is based on Zwartberg Zoo, Belgium, which closed in 1998. The animals had to be rehoused. The artist travelled all over the world to track them down and pay a visit. This exhibition displays the Zoonation archive, with doc­uments, drawings and notes that attest to the lives of these animals. They bring the reality of zoos and what this says about the relationship between humans and animals into focus. 

© image: M HKA

Exhibited work: 

Zoonation, 2001–2006
Courtesy Filip Van Dingenen / Wouters Gallery