Je donne ma langue au chat 2009

Gianfranco Baruchello created this enigmatic box titled "Je donne ma langue au chat" or "I give my tongue to the cat," an idiomatic expression with a central image: the tongue. Here, the tongue motif, both as a literal organ and as a symbol of language, is surrounded by images of snakes, cats, and abstract diagrams, creating a dreamscape ripe with cultural and psychological undertones. The act of "giving one's tongue to the cat" suggests silence, a lack of explanation, and a surrender to the unknown. In other works of art, the tongue and language signify power, knowledge, and the ability to articulate. The cat, associated with mystery, and the serpent, a symbol of transformation, weave a narrative of subconscious processes. It’s as if Baruchello invites us to explore the complexities of communication, and the intense emotions related to the unspeakable, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. This work underscores the non-linear progression of symbols, how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different contexts.