Tragedian

Object, instruction, and administered violence

flowchart LR A((World Representation)) --> T([The Tangible]) A --> I((The Intangible)) I --> C((Images of Capitalism)) I --> P([Images of the Popular]) I --> AN([Images of the Ancestors]) C --> C1([1. El Colgado]) C --> C2([2. Mr. Burns in Chile]) C --> C3([3. El Empaquetador]) C --> C4([4. Rostro Esperanza]) C --> C5((5. Tragedian)) click A "/EN/world-representation.html" "Go to World Representation" click T "/EN/tangible.html" "Go to The Tangible" click I "/EN/intangible.html" "Go to The Intangible" click C "/EN/images-of-capitalism.html" "Go to Images of Capitalism" click P "/EN/images-of-the-popular.html" "Go to Images of the Popular" click AN "/EN/images-of-the-ancestors.html" "Go to Images of the Ancestors" click C1 "/EN/the-hanged-man.html" "Go to El Colgado" click C2 "/EN/mr-burns-in-chile.html" "Go to Mr. Burns in Chile" click C3 "/EN/the-bagger.html" "Go to El Empaquetador" click C4 "/EN/face-of-hope.html" "Go to Rostro Esperanza" click C5 "/EN/tragedian.html" "You are here"

Tragedian is an instruction-based artwork and re-executable installation. A completely inert body —or a sculptural or museum-grade replica— of a tear-gas grenade is attached to a neutral white wall with gray duct tape according to the artist's protocol.

The piece acts as a political and ironic mirror of Maurizio Cattelan's Comedian (2019). Food transformed into commodity and spectacle is replaced by an object associated with controlling public space. The formal economy of the gesture remains, while its historical and social charge changes radically.

Tragedian, preliminary installation visualization — Preliminary installation visualization.

Tragedian, proposed mounting view — Proposed mounting on a neutral wall.

Tragedian, detail of object and tape — Detail of the object and attachment system.

TECHNICAL SHEET

Year: 2019–2026
Type: Instruction-based work, re-executable installation, and critical ready-made
Object: Completely inert body or museum-grade replica of a tear-gas grenade
Mounting: Gray duct tape on a white wall, following the artist's protocol
Dimensions: Object approximately 18 cm long; variable installation
Status: Realizable project in development, pending final physical mounting.

PROTOCOL AND SAFETY

The work only permits a fully inert body or replica. It may not contain chemical agents, pyrotechnic material, propellant, or any initiation, detonation, or activation mechanism. Authorized activations depend on the artist's installation and documentation protocol.

The published images are preliminary visualizations made with generative AI assistance; they are not yet records of a definitive physical installation.

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Images of Capitalism

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