Semiotics of the Cod (2019) adopts the format of a cooking show that is hosted by the artists João Pedro Vale and Nuno Alexandre Ferreira.
In a public event, participants are invited to discover and share one of the most traditional Portuguese dishes, Bacalhau à Brás, and under the premise of a meal that is prepared and cooked collectively, the artists discuss the main ingredient of several Portuguese dishes – the cod - to analyze and deconstruct the Portuguese imagery around this fish, addressing historical, political, economic and social issues, exploring conversations related to capitalism, sexuality, and gender.

Semiotics of the Cod was initially commissioned for LIAF 2019 / North Norwegian Art Centre. The artists took part in LIAF 2019’s artist-in-residence programme during 3 months in Skrova where they developed the investigation they present in this work.