Neither spices nor species - Chronicle of Patagonia

Ni especias, ni especies: Crónica de la Patagonia (Neither spices nor species: Chronicle of Patagonia_ is a hardcover book by artist Marcela Moraga, published by Ediciones Popolet in 2019. Neither spices nor species includes text in both English and Spanish and chronicles artist Marcela Moraga’s journey to Patagonia, Chile. Moraga grew up in Chile, but was never able to visit Patagonia because it was cost prohibitive. Now, an artist in Berlin, Moraga embarks on an expedition back to Chile from Berlin in order to experience this place, mythologized by lush landscapes and frigid temperatures. Moraga uses the form of an expedition, from Europe to South America, a trip with devastating colonialist roots, in order to subvert and reclaim that passage for herself. Moraga documents her journey as well as observations of flora and fauna, including illustrations and photographs. This book is a decolonial exploration of the expedition, a meditation on reclamation and homecoming. Marcela Moraga was born in Chile and lives and works in Berlin. She holds a BFA and MFA from the Universidad de Chile. In 2013 she completed the Postgraduate M.A. Course “Art in Context” at the Berlin University of the Arts (UDK). Her work has been shown internationally in galleries, museums and institutions, including: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo MAC Santiago (Chile); Kunsthalle M3 Berlin (Germany); National Center for Contemporary Art Saint Petersburg (Russia); Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil); among others. Her work focuses primarily on art interventions and performance about the relationship of people and nature, specifically the hierarchy and objects which inhabit public space. She documents her work in film and photography. Ediciones Popolet is an independent publisher and curatorial project based in Santiago, Chile.