Putiferio documents the opening night performance and exhibition by Italian artist Roberto Cuoghi (born 1973) at DESTE's Project Space on the island of Hydra. In Latin, "putiferio" literally means "to bring the stink," signifying chaos or a taste of hell. The fantastical installation depicts an onslaught of ceramic crabs, many of which were fired on-site during the dramatic opening that took place on the rare, simultaneous occasion of the summer solstice and a full moon (an event known as a "Strawberry Moon").
Inside this volume is an extensive selection of photographs taken before, during and after Cuoghi's visceral performance at the island's former slaughterhouse, alongside an incantation written by the artist.
