Skin in the Game

In this engaging follow-up to The Metabolic Museum, Clémentine Deliss explores contemporary artists' relationships with historical collections, discussing pivotal moments in their careers and the complexities of their creative journeys.

Skin in the Game is a thought-provoking exploration by Clémentine Deliss that builds upon her previous work, The Metabolic Museum. In this conversational narrative, Deliss delves into the relationship between contemporary artists and historical research collections. She raises important questions about how artists engage with contentious collections and the legal implications from the perspectives of Indigenous artists. Central to her discussion is the notion of the prototype, which serves as a defining element in an artist's career.

Throughout the book, Deliss engages in dialogue with prominent women artists, including Ruth Buchanan, Otobong Nkanga, Collier Schorr, Rosemarie Trockel, Joëlle Tuerlincx, and Andrea Zittel. These conversations focus on pivotal moments in their careers, referred to as their moments of having skin in the game. This phrase captures the idea that once these artists committed to their practice, there was no turning back, and they embraced the duality of art as both a personal paradise and a challenging Hades.

Deliss's work invites readers to reflect on the prototypes that shape artistic practice over time. By examining the experiences of these artists, she highlights how their individual journeys intertwine with broader themes of creativity, identity, and the impact of historical context on contemporary art. Skin in the Game ultimately offers a rich and nuanced perspective on the complexities of artistic engagement with history and the responsibilities that come with it.