Gianlorenzo Chiaraluce

Il rinoceronte Clara: riflessioni transculturali, identità e migrazioni nell’arte degli ultimi decenni

Introduction

Il rinoceronte clara: riflessioni transculturali, identità e migrazioni nell’arte degli ultimi decenni. Il rinoceronte Clara come icona nell'arte contemporanea: un'analisi di transculturalità, identità e migrazioni. Scopri come opere recenti rivisitano la sua storia.

Abstract

This paper explores transcultural, identity and migration dynamics through the story of the rhinoceros Clara and its declination in contemporary art. Clara, born in India around 1738 and brought to Europe in 1741, became an icon of the 18th century, symbolizing the exploratory fervor and global exchanges that characterized the era. Her numerous artistic and literary representations made her a cultural phenomenon, stimulating profound reflection on cultural and biological diversity. In recent years, the figure of Clara has been revisited in the context of decolonial historical readings and animal studies, re-emerging as a symbol to interrogate contemporary migration trajectories and identity construction mechanisms. Three recent case studies illustrate this renewed attention: the artwork Untitled 2020 (We are not your pet) by Rirkit Tiravanija (2023), the exhibitions “Clara and Other Specimens” by Rossella Biscotti (2019) and “Velme” by Marzia Migliora (2017). Biscotti, in her work Clara (2016), uses reddish bricks printed with the silhouette of a rhinoceros, calibrated to the weight of the adult animal, recalling the materials used by the fleets of the East India Company. This work not only makes Clara's presence tangible, but also reflects on cross-cultural connections and the perception of the other. Migliora and Tiravanija, on the other hand, draws inspiration from Pietro Longhi's painting The Rhinoceros (1751), critiquing the spectacularization and modern poaching. These contemporary works put Clara's story back into play to explore themes related to migration, colonization, and identity, demonstrating how the parable of the rhinoceros continues to influence the construction of cross-cultural identity in Europe. My aim is to explore these connections, showing how contemporary art can offer new perspectives on inter-human and inter-species conflicts, mobility, and diasporas.

Review

This paper presents a fascinating and highly original approach to understanding transculturalism, identity, and migration through the singular figure of Clara the rhinoceros. The premise of tracing Clara's journey from an 18th-century symbol of European exploration and global exchange to a potent icon in contemporary art, re-examined through decolonial readings and animal studies, is particularly compelling. The author's intention to demonstrate how this historical narrative continues to inform current debates on cultural and biological diversity, as well as the mechanisms of identity construction, suggests a rich interdisciplinary contribution that bridges art history, cultural studies, and critical theory. The proposed methodology, grounded in an analysis of three recent artistic interventions by Rirkit Tiravanija, Rossella Biscotti, and Marzia Migliora, appears robust and well-conceived. The abstract provides a succinct but effective overview of how these artists engage with Clara's legacy, from Biscotti's material embodiment of colonial trade routes to Migliora and Tiravanija's critique of spectacularization and exploitation inspired by historical representations. These case studies seem thoughtfully chosen to illustrate the versatility of Clara as a symbol for interrogating themes of migration, colonization, and inter-species relationships, promising to offer concrete examples for the theoretical framework outlined. Overall, this paper holds significant potential to make a valuable contribution to the ongoing scholarly discourse on global history, postcolonial studies, and the role of contemporary art in re-interpreting historical narratives. By using Clara's unique "parable," the author aims to offer fresh perspectives on inter-human and inter-species conflicts, mobility, and diasporas, demonstrating the enduring relevance of cultural icons in shaping our understanding of complex societal issues. The work is poised to stimulate further interdisciplinary research into the intersections of animal studies, art history, and the politics of identity and belonging in a globalized world.

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