Pamela Rosenkranz’s work drives the internet-based rhizomatic thinking of her generation into the crashing plotholes of a human pace. With a wide scope of references, ranging from the economy, politics, history, philosophy and technology, to pop culture, she translates complex issues into accessible sets of symbols, using a variety of contemporary shiny surfaces. Amongst other elements Rosenkranz uses skin-colored finger painting on high-tech materials, color schemes of global corporations, soft drinks and water bottles in her work. 

Wahaha Room is an installation of bottles of Wahaha Water that are dispersed throughout the space. Filled with a viscous mixture of skin-colored pigments and silicone, a material used in the film industry, the purity of water gets undermined. Beamers project blue and red light from both sides respectively, generating a dystopian, artificial and generic atmosphere. The complimentary colors, red and blue, cast by the projectors shine basic luminescent light reminiscent of sunrise and sunset, which further translates to the interior or exterior layers of our bodies.

“Wahaha” means the laughter of a child. As the image of a child promotes purity, innocence, and health, here, the child is confronted with the reality of the Anthropocene.  Subject and object are fused together into a synthetic corporeality and the fleshy liquid of the filled silicone bottles seem to materialize a drink of phthalates – the substances that soften plastics, making them flexible and durable, and enhance their longevity. Ironically, its impact on the hormonal system seems to be responsible for causing earlier menstruation in female humans and animals. For example, a certain snail procreates twice as fast as usual under its influence. Purity, youth, and health become part of the contamination.

Pamela Rosenkranz exhibits her work at Miguel Abreu Gallery in New York. She has been a mainstay of major exhibitions such as: Karma International, Zurich (2014); the Venice Biennale (2013); the Liverpool Biennial (2012); Tate Britain, London (2010); Manifesta 7, Rovetero, Italy (2008); and the Berlin Biennale (2008). She has presented solo exhibitions at Centre d’Art Contemporain, Geneva (2010); Swiss Institute, New York (2011); and Kunsthalle Basel (2012). In 2015, Rosenkranz will represent Switzerland at the Venice Biennale.