Copiado y prestado (Copied and Borrowed) presents a selection of works by 14 artists who critically reflect on the dynamics of copying, appropriation, and references in contemporary art. This exhibition not only showcases the relevance of these practices in visual arts but also places them within a broader framework of cultural and theoretical practices that question traditional notions of creation and authorship.

In the era of information and technology, where the reproduction and distribution of images and texts are instantaneous and ubiquitous, copying transforms from a mechanical act into a critical strategy that challenges conventions of authenticity and originality. The artists in this exhibition not only replicate or reuse visual elements but also decontextualize and recode them, creating works that are both reflections on contemporary culture and new creations in their own right.

Appropriation, in turn, becomes an intertextual dialogue that crosses genres and disciplines, revealing the permeability of cultural boundaries and the interdependence of artistic forms. By reconfiguring known images, texts, and concepts, the works presented here invite viewers to reconsider what it means to ‘own’ an image or idea, and how these possessions are negotiated in the public and cultural space.

Finally, the artistic references and quotes in the selected works function as bridges between different eras and aesthetics, facilitating a continuous dialogue between the past and the present. This practice not only enriches the texture and complexity of the works but also underscores the continuity and evolution of artistic ideas over time.

Copied and Borrowed is an invitation to explore how copying, appropriation, and quotes are essential tools for interrogating and understanding contemporary artistic practices. The exhibition challenges visitors to consider these operations as critical methods that reflect and shape the visual culture we are immersed in.

Participating Artists:
Gabriel Baggio, Florencia Böhtlingk, Lucas Di Pascuale, Diego Figueroa, Elena Loson, Leticia Obeid, Gilda Picabea, Sofía Quirno, Lucía Reissig, Catalina Schliebener, Martín Sichetti, Leila Tschopp, Dani Umpi, Ivana Vollaro.

During the exhibition, it will be possible to access the Estate of Santiago García Sáenz and Foto Estudio Luisita archive.