Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen acquires melanie bonajo’s When the body says Yes

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is delighted to receive When the body says Yes in its museum collection. The installation, created by Dutch artist melanie bonajo,  was exhibited during the summer of 2024 during the much talked about event Craving for Boijmans. There it functioned as a sensory end piece for a special art route through the closed museum building. In 2022, When the body says Yes was the Dutch entry for the 59th Venice Biennale.

When the body says Yes
This art piece by melanie bonajo is an installation consisting of a video artwork that is 43 minutes in length, framed by an organically-shaped scenography created in collaboration with fellow artist Théo Demans. When the body says Yes takes the viewer through and around the body, addressing the role of sexuality, body positivity, gender and consent within our society. There’s a very diverse group of people featured in the film, which challenges the viewer with a multitude of questions: on sexuality, the body and a personal vision on gender beyond the stereotypical patterns.

Craving for Boijmans

When the body says Yes was a prime attraction during Craving for Boijmans. It became an inspiring challenge and collaboration between the museum, the artists and the gallery to land the piece at the majestic Bodonzaal. It injected a humanity into what was an abandoned building. Not just thanks to the expressive, inclusive design, but most of all the topics that were addressed. When the body says Yes builds a bridge between the human who experiences it and the individuals who appear inside of it. Visitors have reacted in a positive way – often surprised or provoked – which speaks to the continuous social relevance of the subjects bonajo addresses in their work.

melanie bonajo is an artist, filmmaker, sexological bodyworker, somatic sex coach and educator, cuddle workshop leader and activist. Through videos, performances, photographs and installations, bonajo explores current issues arising from living together in a capitalist system. melanie bonajo is represented by AKINCI.