Mommie dearest
Solo show by Jasmine Gregory
Until April 3, 2022
Istituto Svizzero, Via del Vecchio Politecnico 3, Milan
Mommie dearest is the first solo show in Italy by artist Jasmine Gregory (b. 1987) taking place at Istituto Svizzero in Milan. As part of a young generation of emerging artists, for this show, Jasmine Gregory presents a series of new paintings and a work that lies between sculpture and “ready-made.” Working primarily with painting, she engages with iconography and western art history from a critical perspective. Within this context, she explores her role as a young painter, playfully and smoothly combining pop cultural references and contemporary theoretical discourses into her practice.
Real Estate
Solo show by Mai-Thu Perret
March 25–June 26, 2022
Istituto Svizzero, Via Ludovisi 48, Rome
Opening: March 24, 2022
In March 2022 Istituto Svizzero presents Real Estate, the first major solo show in Italy by Swiss artist Mai-Thu Perret (b. 1976). Conceived in close exchange with the artist, the exhibition consists of existing and newly produced works—such as a new life-size sculpture that draws on Mai-Thu Perret’s interest in the goddesses of Roman mythology. Real Estate provides an overview of the themes, strategies, and materials that the artist has been exploring for a long time through intensive research. Her sculptures, paintings, ceramic works, performances, and texts exist at the intersection of contemporary culture, art historical critique, and visceral materiality. Mai-Thu Perret explores (and generates) feminist narratives and counter-narratives that cast new light on the role of the art object, introducing utilitarian, symbolic, and even mystical possibilities in contexts that are often limited to formalist readings. The exhibition title Real Estate is not only a play on words with the Italian term for “summer” (estate), but also refers to Deborah Levy’s “living autobiography” with this very title. In this sense, the artist reflects on the definition of “home,” domesticity, and the connotations of gender in architecture — themes that are present throughout the exhibition and, in particular, in one of her brand-new sound works.
Double show by Lara Dâmaso and Raffaela Naldi Rossano
April 14–June 11, 2022
Istituto Svizzero, Via del Vecchio Politecnico 3, Milan
Opening: April 13, 2022
Lara Dâmaso (b. 1996) and Raffaela Naldi Rossano (b. 1990) work in different medias and formats and share a deep interest for traditional techniques of oral storytelling in South Europe, for the strength of female voices and the relations between body, movement, and voice. For their joint exhibition in Milan the two artists developed a new series of works, engaged in a process of sharing ideas and thoughts.
Solo show by Marie Matusz
September 2022–November 2022
Istituto Svizzero, Via del Vecchio Politecnico 3, Milan
Marie Matusz’s (b. 1994) work results from critical engagement with forms and their inherent meanings, evolving through in-depth research into philosophical, sociological, and linguistic theories. For her solo show at Istituto Svizzero in Milan the artist presents a new body of work that explores the perception of music, notation systems and the presence/absence of sounds.
Double show by Deborah-Joyce Holman and Tarek Lakhrissi
September 2022–October 2022
Archivio storico, Via Maqueda 157, Palermo
Deborah-Joyce Holman (b. 1991) and Tarek Lakhrissi (b. 1992) work with video, installations, sculpture with a focus on writing as part of their practice. Among other things, they are interested in how language builds identity and they question issues around authorship. In the context of the exhibition in Palermo, they are developing a new video work in collaboration.
L’arcobaleno riposa sulla strada—The rainbow rests on the road
Group show by Pascale Birchler, Miriam Laura Leonardi, Hunter Longe, Lou Masduraud, Luzie Meyer, Meret Oppenheim, and Ser Serpas
October 2022–January 2023
Istituto Svizzero, Via Ludovisi 48, Rome
Opening: October 13, 2022
“But when someone speaks a new language of his own that no one yet understands, he [she] sometimes has to wait a long time before he [she] hears an echo.” Is an affirmation that was made by Swiss artist Meret Oppenheim (1913-85) during her speech for the Basel Art Prize in 1975. This statement constitutes the starting point for the group show taking place in autumn 2022 at Istituto Svizzero in Rome, in which selected works by Meret Oppenheim will be in dialogue with works by a younger generation of artists. Meret Oppenheim’s perception of the world, her self-positioning as an artist and her understanding of artistic practice continue to fascinate today. Her exploration of the subconscious, of dreams, the linking of visual and lyrical creation, her own position as a “female artist among artists” (as she wrote to her parents from Paris in the 1930s) are still relevant and timely issues to the new generation of artists. For this the exhibition, invited artists Pascale Birchler (b. 1982), Miriam Laura Leonardi (b. 1985), Hunter Longe (b. 1985), Lou Masduraud (b. 1990), Luzie Meyer (b. 1990) and Ser Serpas (b. 1995) present new and existing body of works in a dialogical juxtaposition that will generate new perspectives on the themes explored by Meret Oppenheim.
The Most Beautiful Swiss Books
Spazio Maiocchi, Via Achille Maiocchi 7, Milano
In collaboration with SPRINT
November/December 2022
As part of SPRINT—Independent Publishers and Artists’ Books Salon, Istituto Svizzero presents the 19 titles awarded with “The Most Beautiful Swiss Books,” the prestigious annual prize that brings together the best of Swiss publishing organized by the Federal Office of Culture. The Most Beautiful Swiss Books competition recognizes the work of the year’s most talented book designers, encourages and showcases high-quality productions, and promotes the winning works.
Istituto Svizzero acts as an interdisciplinary platform bringing together artistic and scientific research. From Rome, Milan or Palermo, it facilitates connections both between Switzerland and Italy, as well as internationally. Istituto Svizzero offers residencies to emerging artists and researchers who wish to contribute to the future of art, science and innovation. Each year, the Institute presents a public programme aimed at promoting forward-thinking events and projects, experimental practices and excellence in research. Istituto Svizzero seeks to actively participate in the global discourse on arts and society, envisioning new paths and looking beyond the boundaries of disciplines.
Istituto Svizzero is supported by:
Pro Helvetia, Swiss Arts Council
State Department of Education, Research and Innovation
Federal Department of Construction and Logistics
Director: Joëlle Comé
Art Curator: Gioia Dal Molin