ROTTERDAM, 8 February 2025 – Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has acquired When the body says Yes, an installation by melanie bonajo. The work, previously featured in Snakken naar Boijmans, explores themes of body positivity, gender, and consent.
Boijmans acquires When the body says Yes
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has announced the acquisition of When the body says Yes, a video installation by artist melanie bonajo. The artwork was showcased in the summer of 2024 during Snakken naar Boijmans, a special event offering visitors an experience inside the temporarily closed museum building. Before its Rotterdam presentation, the piece represented the Netherlands at the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022.
An immersive exploration of body and identity
When the body says Yes consists of a 43-minute video surrounded by a colourful, organic scenography, created in collaboration with designer Théo Demans. The installation guides viewers through an exploration of the body, touching on themes such as sexuality, body positivity, gender, and consent. The film features a diverse group of individuals, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own perspectives on gender identity and societal norms.
Showcased at 'Snakken naar Boijmans'
During Snakken naar Boijmans, the installation attracted significant attention. It was displayed in the Bodon Hall, an area of the museum left empty during renovations. The work introduced an element of humanity into the vacant space, not only through its inclusive aesthetic, but also through the social themes it addressed. Audience reactions ranged from appreciation to surprise and even provocation, highlighting the continued relevance of the issues explored in bonajo’s work.
About Melanie Bonajo
Melanie Bonajo is an artist, filmmaker, and activist with a focus on themes related to intimacy, sexuality, and societal structures. Their practice spans video, photography, performance, and installation art, often examining contemporary life within capitalist systems. Bonajo is also involved in bodywork and somatic sex coaching, exploring new ways of connecting with the body. They are represented by AKINCI Gallery.
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