Through the window
dal 3/12/2003 al 5/1/2004
Segnalato da
3/12/2003
Through the window
Istituto Italiano di cultura, London
New works by the artists Antonio Riello (Italy) and Peter Liversidge (UK). The exhibition confronts the subject of 'play' and of the apparently innocent fun that is connected to the act of playing. But international mobility and inter-continental migration seem to dictate more serious games of which tourism and war are too often the two - only apparently opposite - reasons. Both war and tourism come from the same source of paternalistic superiority and manichean colonialism. All these kind of 'games' lead invariably to the exploitation of the weaker, or the loser.
Peter Liversidge, Antonio Riello
curators: Hugh Mullholland and Vittorio Urbani
The exhibition entitled "Through the Window" curated by Hugh
Mullholland (Ormeau Baths Gallery, Belfast) and Vittorio Urbani
(Nuova Icona, Venice) - consists of new works by the artists Antonio
Riello (Italy) and Peter Liversidge (UK). The exhibition confronts
the subject of "play" and of the apparently innocent fun that is
connected to the act of playing. But international mobility and
inter-continental migration seem to dictate more serious games of
which tourism and war are too often the two - only apparently
opposite - reasons. Both war and tourism come from the same source of
paternalistic superiority and manichean colonialism. All these kind
of "games" lead invariably to the exploitation of the weaker, or the
loser. The title of the show "Through the Window"' is not a direct
reference to either artists' work but is in keeping with the show
central theme of play or playfulness. It is taken from the
children's television series "Play School" which has gained a sort of
cult/kitsch following among grown ups of a certain age. The phrase
refers to a segment of the show when the children were invited to
look through a number of windows - round, square or arched - to see a
educational film/game played out. Whilst the title refers to the
notion of play it could also have a broader darker meaning where we
witness world events as passive spectators.
Peter Liversidge (born in Lincoln/UK, 1973; lives and works in
London). The artist will install in the space of the Institute new
works, from the ongoing series of the "Boulders" and the "corporate
works". Natural and Artificial are in a costant dialogue and tension
in Liversidge's work. The exhibition space will be filled by the
fictitious rocks - whose mimetic value fades the more ones approaches
them - in an attempt to recreate a natural environment. As contrast,
a huge installation of framed "logo paintings" - almost the artist's
trademark - will fill the walls. Corporate identity, Nature's
identity at its roughest (the rocks) seem to sandwich and to squeeze
in a corner the very possibility of an autonomous Human Identity to
exhist.
Antonio Riello (born in Italy, 1958; lives in Marostica and Milan).
In the artist's own words; "My intention is to create a large
installation on the floor of the reception room on the first floor of
the Institute. The scale reproduction (but nevertheless of a
considerable size: 6 x 5 x 1,5 metres approximately) of an important
Italian building, the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome (better known as
the Colosseum). The work will be carried out using only playing cards
which originate from gambling houses, casinos and bars where one can
play for "winnings". The "vice"’ which transforms itself into
historic and architectural value. Furthermore I envisage the
possibility of using several of my small (about 90 x 90 x 20 cm)
“Tiepolesque" war planes hanging either from the stairs of the
Institute or the ceiling of its main hall".
The exhibition has been commissioned by the Italian Cultural
Institute of London. In two former occasions one Italian and one
UK/based artists have created new work for the Institute, under the
care of V.Urbani. The three shows have been conceived as a dialogue
between the two invited artists. The exhibition will later travel to
Venice, at the Nuova Icona's gallery.
opening: December 4, 2003 at 6.00 p.m.
period: until January 5, 2004; opening hours 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday to Friday
catalogue: with texts by Mario Fortunato, Martin Herbert,
Michele Robecchi, Vittorio Urbani
support; Italian Cultural Institute, London.
information: Nuova Icona, tel/fax 0039 041 5210101
Giulia Maione, tel 0044 (0)207 396 4402/fax 207 2354618
Vittorio Urbani
Nuova Icona
Giudecca 454
30133 Venezia
tel.e fax. 041-5210101
location: Italian Cultural Institute, London (director: Mario Fortunato)