The site-specific installation Precious Precarious was featured in the exhibition Earth Body at the UNAM Geology Museum in 

Mexico City in 2019. The installation intertwines precious rocks from the museum’s collection with rocks the artist gathered from street workers excavating a local street.

 

The installation juxtaposes two distinct functions: the museum rocks, elevated and gracefully displayed on slowly rotating 

pedestals, contrast with the street-collected rocks, which are firmly fixed in place and coated with salt. Each street rock positioned 

beneath a dispenser that drips colour immitading the colour of a precious rocks. 

 

Precious Precarious subtly critiques and redefines the notions of value and hierarchy, crafting a playful yet profound commentary on the arbitrary nature of worth. Through this delicate balance, the work invites viewers to ponder the precariousness of value 

systems and the intricate relationships between what society deems precious and what not.

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All participating artists: Abraham Gómez, Ane Graff, Anna Rún Tryggvadóttir, Gabriel Mestre Arrioja, Héctor Vargas, Hesselholdt & Mejlvang, Marja Helander, Nikolina Ställborn, Pablo Castillo, Pepe Mogt, Raymundo Barnett

Curated by Jonatan Habib Engqvist and Gabriel Mestre Arrioja