The exhibition From Albers to Warhol to (now) is the first time that the Daimler Art Collection has been seen in Italy. It is a large scale show bringing together around 230 works from 1909 to the present day. The works are by 110 different artists and cover all the major art movements of the last hundred years, including Abstraction, Constructivism, Minimalism and Conceptualism.
Jonathan Monk, I own a ruler once owned by Sol Le Witt, 2001
As an overview of 20th century art this show is well worth seeing. It also finishes with some automotive inspired artworks which explain the timing of this show in Brescia – at the same time as the famous Mille Miglia race for vintage cars. These include works by Andy Warhol commissioned by Daimler and a telling quote from the artist: ‘I think I’ll try and get a car and driver out of them, to get the ‘feel’ for the paintings.’
Albert Hein, Gas
The show starts with a site-specific work by Swiss artist Nic Hess. He has chosen the stairwell to create a huge drawing installation in different colours and media that draws attention to this otherwise overlooked area. Nearby Giuseppe Penone’s ‘Tree’ from 1976 leans in a corner. He has carefully carved into the wood the very tree from which the wood was taken. Finding the locations of the original branches from the knots in the wood he has attempted time-travel, returning the wood to the tree it once was. Now though it is useless, merely decorative, with no life-force, just leaning where the curator has placed it.
Aura Somma, 2002 Sylvia Fleury
Sylvie Fleury is well-represented in the show. Her Aura Somma from 2002 consists of 102 50ml bottles. The contents are oils and waters and can be used as perfumes. However Fleury has given the liquids visual power through strong lighting which draws attention to the same-but-different nature of the repetitive bottles. Externally they are all exactly the same – even internally the contents are very similar, yet they appear very different.
Philippe Parreno, AC/DC Snake, 2010
Parreno’s AC/DC snake consists of interconnected electrical adaptors for various different countries. Visually unappealing it questions the differences between nations and celebrates the differing solutions to similar problems. Shown in Italy it also comments on the individuality and flare that still blossoms amongst the continental standardisation that the EU enjoys bringing to its citizens.
With such a large exhibition there is no particular theme, but there are so many works that you are bound to discover something that you find interesting. The show covers several rooms of the museum and has been thoughtfully curated, managing to squeeze many works into the space without too much of a squash and a squeeze. Entry is part of the Santa Giulia ticket and a visit to this museum in Brescia is highly recommended. It is a big museum so make sure you give yourself enough time to see everything.
Until 30th June 2013
Santa Giulia
Via Musei 81/b
Brescia
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