NADA House 2024

Emilie L. Gossiaux and Natalie Terenzini work independently and explore questions of identity with distinct practices, questions of the self and the other, and the intimate bound of a relationship as a connection to the world.

Contrary to the Cartesian notion of the self as a coherent and stable entity, contemporary understandings of identity posit as multi-faceted and constructed through interaction with the external world. Psychology Today describes: “Identity encompasses the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one’s sense of self. This amalgamation creates a steady sense of who one is over time, even as new facets are developed and incorporated into one’s identity.” This idea resonates with Arthur Rimbaud, the prodigious French poet (1894—91) and his enigmatic and profound assertions “Je est un autre” (I is another), a phrase that encapsulates his radical rethinking of identity and creativity. Rimbaud acknowledges the multiplicity within the self and the influence of external forces on personal identity. The notion that the self is constructed and continuously redefined through experience and interaction remains a central theme in contemporary discussions: Through “Je est un autre.” Rimbaud not only redefined the role of the artist but also provided a timeless reflection on the nature of the self in an ever-changing world.

In this exhibition, Gossiaux presents new earthenware ceramic pieces as an homage to the life of her guide dog London. She recreates objects of personal significance associated with London’s everyday work routine, playtime and pleasure, such as rubber chew toys of various shapes, her collar and name tag, harness and leash. Dog collars, harnesses and leashes serve as bodily extensions that mutually and physically connect dog to human and human to dog. With this collection of nostalgic memorabilia, Gossiaux honors seemingly quotidian objects that nurture and shape shared intimacies between dogs and humans.