The idea for the exhibition stems from contemplation of Jannis Kounellis’ work Untitled, which alludes to a crucifixion and suffering, but without presenting the body of Christ. The artist here implements a ‘poetics of the secret’, of the mystery of things. Toward dramaturgy and theatricality, where even the absence of the figure-with its appeal-is powerful and tragic.
The term ‘damnatio figurae‘ refers to a denial of images, a theme that relates to historical debates not only about iconoclasm, but in general about the use of visual representations. Building on these assumptions, seizing on the cue given by the importance and significance of the presence or absence of the human face and figure, the selection in Nave brings together the works of 5 artists (Thorsten Brinkmann, Aron Demetz, Nicola Samorì, Mariano Sardon, Manolo Valdés) who, in different ways, have worked around the absence or concealment of human expression, without going as far as iconoclasm.
In Sacristy, by contrast, there are a series of contemporary portraits of great importance, including iconographic ones, but with a more classical focus-all from the foundation’s collection. From Andy Warhol’s Queen to the women of Wesselmann and Casorati, from Baechler to Chia, from Music to Ida Barbarigo, to a singular Max Ernst-and others-represent the human face and figure, declining the theme in a multiplicity of forms.
Completing the installation is Maurizio Cattelan’s installation, Stadium. Since portraiture has become-with the advent of photography-increasingly a reflection on people’s identity, rather than a physical representation, crucial becomes being able to represent the role we play in society, our personality also given by our system of relationships. In this context, the work Stadium becomes the stage where people enact roles within groups, where they manifest their social identity.
Where: New St. Agnes (Cultural Space).
Hours: closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets: free admission.
Information:
Alberto Peruzzo Foundation
Via Dante 63, Padua
info@fondazionealbertoperuzzo.it
