To my nearly-non-existent collection of avant-garde and contemporary art has been added a small conceptualist gem: a single translucent red pill inside a plastic bag labeled: Speak, write and read perfect German "inmiatly" (sic). It’s by the excellent painter and documentary photo- and video-grapher Adriana Bustos, from Cordoba, Argentina, who happened to be classmate of mine in language study. I can only assume that her lengthy studies in psychopharmacology and neurolinguistics, in addition to Fluxus-style whimsy, have finally yielded fruit.

As someone who loves speaking (other) languages but hates studying them, the Matrix-style corruption of the scenario has had irresistible appeal…although I haven’t taken the pill yet. To tell you the truth, I’m a bit afraid of the side effects. The whole thing is very Alice in Wonderland…