Proceso: calco de animales para friso

I first saw Nicola Costantino’s work during the 24th Biennale of Sao Paulo in 1998. Of all the things on show her installation really stood out. It consisted of a group of life‑size mannequins wearing clothes that seemed to be made of human skin. A closer look revealed that these were decorated with nipples, anuses, belly buttons and real hair. Intrigue, shock and admiration were part of my reaction and I have to admit that once I realised that the material used was silicon some soil of relief settled upon me. Now, a few years later and finally having a chance to interview Costantino I just had to dwell on this first encounter. The artist tells that she was surprised that she was chosen to represent Argentina: “I had recently moved from Rosario to Buenos Aires and felt that I was just embarking on my career. Probably, one the Biennale’s themes being cannibalism had something to do with getting elected. I started working with these silicon casts of human skin in 1995 and am still exploring this theme.” Costantino explains that the installation, which varies according to location and to which new items like shoes and handbags, albeit skin coloured and with the same decorations, are continuously added, is shown in very regular intervals: “After Sao Paulo I was offered many shows and invitations keep coming in. This year, for example, Israel, Denmark and Norway are on my itinerary. The only drawback is that I have to travel a lot but I do not want to leave Buenos Aires because I love to live here and it is the place that most suits me. The