Investigating dystopian landscapes and parasitic entities, Evelina Kehagia’s exhibition “Tapeworm Love” at Hyperlink Athens immerses viewers in a world where symbiosis and decay converge.

Drawing from a wellspring of fascination with the ancient and the alien and through her fascination with organic and non-organic fossils, microorganisms, and ecosystems, Kehagia crafts a narrative concerning the dialogue between the natural and the artificial.

The exhibition unfolds through three works of art: External Cryogenics explores the concept of suspended animation and artificial preservation. Through a display of mechanical components and biological motifs, Kehagia prompts viewers to ponder the boundaries of life and death, raising questions about the ethical implications of prolonging existence through artificial means. The artwork serves as a reminder of humanity’s quest for immortality and the consequences of tampering with the natural order.

Concurrently, Spathozoic draws inspiration from the amalgamation of organic and artificial elements, symbolising a convergence of natural forms with constructed anatomies. The term itself invokes images of both leaf or flower structures as well as the man-made sword, fused together with an animal form, denoting the interplay between the organic and the industrial. Within the context of the exhibition, Spathozoic evokes a narrative of hybridity, a mechanism possibly employed by for survival and interconnectedness in diversified realms. Kehagia masterfully merges the organic with the industrial, inviting contemplation on the origins of life and the role of technology in shaping our existence.

Meanwhile, Coolant Feed examines the relationship between machines and parasitic entities in a post-apocalyptic world. Inspired by Earth’s tapeworm, or “the Neoprene Weaver”, Kehagia envisions a symbiotic ecosystem where synthetic creatures thrive on coolant fluids extracted from life-preserving machines. This snail-like sculpture serves as a poignant commentary on humanity’s dependence on technology and the inevitable entanglement of organic and artificial life forms.

Throughout the exhibition, Kehagia’s work is imbued with personal and ritualistic significance, reflecting her deep connection to the materials she collects from abandoned spaces. Each artwork tells a story of adaptation and survival, highlighting the resilience of life in the face of adversity. As viewers navigate through this experience, they are invited to contemplate the complexities of human intervention, natural evolution, and the uncertain future that lies ahead.

Accompanying the exhibition is a performance by the audio-visual artist duo MIRA新伝統, composed of electronic musician Raphael Leray and performer Honami Higuchi. Their interdisciplinary approach combines theory-fiction, video, soundtrack, and performance art to explore themes of the Anthropocene, otherness, and post-humanity. Through their uncanny compositions and transgressive visuals, MIRA新伝統 another layer is imbued into Kehagia’s exploration of the human condition in an ever-shifting paradigm.

— Sophia Lascaris