Bradwolff Projects presents a new exhibition by Adriana Bogdanova, telling the story of Zarafa, the Sudanese giraffe gifted to France in 1826. Her arrival caused a sensation, turning this exotic animal into a political instrument. Bogdanova explores the implications of this spectacle—how power operates through display, how nature is framed within human systems, and how fascination is transformed into control.
Opening: Sunday, 13th April 2025, 16:00 – 18:00
Exhibition Period: 13th April – 25th May 2025
At the heart of the exhibition is an installation that reconstructs Zarafa’s journey: from her sea voyage to the excitement in Paris. Archival projections and sculptures reveal how her presence was used for political gain. Through contemporary visual language, Bogdanova translates historical narratives and questions the aesthetics of power, as well as the role of animals in cultural diplomacy.
Adriana Bogdanova (1981, Slovakia) is a visual artist based between London and Amsterdam. She holds a BFA from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie and an MA in Sculpture from the Royal College of Art. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the 2024 Venice Biennale and in cities such as Berlin, London, Budapest, and Vienna.
Bogdanova explores the conceptual relationships within nature, using elements such as insects, stones, and branches. Rather than depicting nature directly, she focuses on the ideas and connections we associate with it. Her work challenges traditional views and sparks new reflections.
The exhibition also features works by Mark Dion, who examines how institutions shape our understanding of nature and history. His installations, inspired by 16th- and 17th-century Wunderkammern, reveal the politics behind collecting and display. Dion shows how science, ideology, and power intersect in the way we classify the world. In the context of Zarafa, his work deepens questions surrounding exoticism, spectacle, and control.
Mark Dion (1961, USA) explores the influence of institutions on our understanding of nature and history, questioning the authority of museums and scientific classification through large-scale installations, exhibited at Tate, MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and major biennials worldwide.
This exhibition runs from Sunday 13 April.