Watch La Artefacta

Nicola Costantino is one of Latin America's most controversial and admired visual artists. With often macabre imagery rooted in a violence that pervades the history of Argentina, she is known for provocative works, such as lifelike casts of animals, soap constructed out of fat liposuctioned from her own body and clothes and accessories made of male nipple casts. Filmmaker Natalie Cristiani makes her directorial debut with this gorgeous cinematic tribute to Costantino, drawing audiences into her dark and mysterious work and the rigorous process of preparing to exhibit her latest work at the 55th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale. As much as this film is a portrait of Costantino, it also uniquely pulls us into her art, making viewers into participants. - Heather Haynes