There are two exhibitions that the Prada Foundation proposes for the summer period: True Value by the artist Theaster Gates e T.T.T. – Template Temples of Tenacity of Nàstio Mosquito. Both curated by Elvira Dyangani Ose, they propose choral visions of contemporaneity, which through a different language, but in both cases simple and not mediated, involve the public and put them in direct contact with open questions of our days, on which to reflect. The definition of art as “social practice” unites the two exhibitions in a single embrace.
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The work of Theaster Gates, one of the most important African-American artists on the contemporary scene, born in Chicago 46 years ago, is multidisciplinary and often develops urban interventions, he has revived entire areas of cities such as Chicago or Detroit, involving local communities. Founder of the non-profit Rebuild Foundation, Gates is a lecturer in the Visual Arts Department of the University of Chicago where he coordinates the Arts and Public Life program. The work proposed to the Prada Foundation on the first floor of the Podium, Tru Value (2016) it also lives in an experiential dimension, in fact, proposes the reconstruction of an apparently abandoned hardware store, with exhibits traditionally linked to the world of work and commerce, which have not been used for some time. A poetic space, which from working becomes evocative. A tribute to the ready-made, to the disappearance of small businesses and at the same time it is a denunciation of the excessive power that overwhelms and cancels individual specificities. This installation, according to the artist: “He reiterates that there are objects of power, tools that take on their influence only when they are handled by those who know those particular systems of power“The Cisterna instead hosts the works in which the artist explores elements of the everyday within aesthetics and culture black. “In the Cistern – explained the artist – I am trying to solve sculpture problems, but they are problems that have a kind of spiritual implication. Art has a potential that goes beyond, and can produce changes or other types of transformation that leave the art system and land somewhere else in the world “.
The second exhibition, T.T.T. – Template Temples of Tenacity of Nàstio Mosquito, an extremely complex and demanding project, consisting of three new projects presented on the ground floor of the Podium, in the Cinema and in the external spaces of the Foundation, created in collaboration with international artists. Nástio Mosquito, African artist, born in Luanda 35 years ago, abandoned his training as a director and video operator to devote himself to multidisciplinary art, establishing himself on the international scene for his provocative and irreverent performances. WEorNOT (Nativicious’ Temple #01) it is the first of the three proposed works and it is a site-specific installation. The first floor of the Podium has been transformed into a temple complete with Gothic windows, which however reproduce images of the present, including caricatures. Recall that Nastivicious is the name of the duo founded in 2008 by Mosquito and the Spanish artist Vic Pereiró, in collaboration with the illustrator Ada Díez. The large glasses offer easily readable images whether it is Viagra or the key texts of our culture. During the opening days, a performance accompanied the works, I Make Love to You, You Make Love to Me, Let Love Have Sex With the Both of Us (Part 1 – The Gregorian Gospel Vomit), a performative dance that has reinterpreted the Christian hymn Jesus Loves Me made with Djif Sanders, Chilala Moco and The Golden Guys choir. Third work is the work Synchronicity Is My Bitch: The Cinematic Experience, a journey through films, videos and clips of African television programs which will however be presented next September. Mosquito, restless and cultured interpreter of our times, with this exhibition tries to give life to a total art operation, in which the viewer is also called to participate, so much so that the sum of every single experience transforms nature day by day. of the exhibition itself, in continuous evolution.
Both exhibitions will be available in the Milan office of the Prada Foundation up as of 25 September 2016.
Theaster Gates: “True Value”
Nástio Mosquito: “T.T.T. – Template Temples of Tenacity”
a cura by Elvira Dyangani Ose
PRADA FOUNDATION
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