Alicia Framis

Born in 1967 in Barcelona, Spain, Alicia Framis lives and works in Shanghai and Barcelona. Her installations and performances challenge the rigid structures that govern contemporary societies. Her series “Remix Building” associates radically different spaces and activities as a means of questioning common prejudices and internalized codes of conduct. “BLOODSUSHIBANK” (2000) couples a fish restaurant with a fully operational blood bank. By juxtaposing a convivial environment with a medical center, the installation highlights the apprehension and fear that surrounds this life-giving activity. Framis’ works often formulate sharp and witty critiques of our networks of exchange. By shifting the function of shared social spaces and re-contextualizing everyday activities, Framis exposes the grave realities that underpin our socio-economical system, such as child prostitution and government-sanctioned torture. Her installation “Guantanamo Museum” (2008) questions the act of memorializing sites such as Auschwitz and Alcatraz by imagining a museum commemorating the infamous US detention camp.

Alicia Framis has had recent solo exhibitions at CAIXA FORUM, Barcelona (2008), Museum of Design, Zurich (2008), Annet gelink Gallery, Amsterdam (2007), Duolun Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai (2006), Centro Galego de Arte Contemporáneo CGAC, Santiago de Compostela (2006) and Musée d’Art Contemporain de Bordeaux CACP, Bordeaux (2006). Her work has been shown in numerous museums and international events including “Utopia Station” and “We are the world”, the Dutch Pavilion, both presented at the 50th Venice Biennale (2003), the 2nd Berlin Biennale (2001) and Manifesta 2, Luxemburg (1998). She has been awarded the Prix Lleida Contemporary Art, Spain (2000) as well as the Prix de Rome Art in Public Space, Dam Square, Amsterdam (1997).

Alicia Framis is represented by Annet Gelink Gallery, Amsterdam and Helga de Alvear, Madrid.