The exhibition, organized in collaboration with FRAC PACA (the Regional Fund for Contemporary Art of Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur), was conceived to remember the young English aristocrats who, between the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, used to stay for long periods of time in Italian holiday resorts, such as Guarene. The Grand Tour generally brought the revelation of an esthetic self-awareness, which fed on a Romantic imagination and creativity typical of the early 19th century. Self/In Material Conscience goes further than that, adopting a contemporary stance in analyzing the neuro-psychological functioning suggested by today's artists and, mirrored by a variety of works and methods.
The exhibition's structure resembles an anthology of sculptures, photographs, paintings, videos and installations that relate to the experiences or the imagination of those who created them. Is is organized like an archive of conscience, remembrance, memory. An inventory of human and irrational feelings arising from the deep fears, the boredom, the extreme happiness, mixed with reminiscences from childhood and flashes of real life experiences. With his work the artist forges matter, giving shape to the most secret desires and to the unconscious.
"We believe in the synergy between Italian and foreign institutions, both public and private, because only through a constant engagement coming from several directions can contemporary culture find a communicative channel and involve a diverse public, according to what is one of the Foundation's main objectives. As early as 2000 we collaborated with the FRAC in Limoges, organizing an exhibition for the young Italian artist Giuseppe Gabellone, which was held both in France and at the Palazzo Re Rebaudengo". (Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo)
Exhibited Artists
Absalon, Saâdane Afif, Gilles Barbier, C&M Berdaguer/Péjus, Jean-Luc Blanc, Belkacem Boudjellouli, Daniele Buetti, Pedro Cabrita Reis, Sophie Calle, Christoph Draeger, Francesco Finizio, Michel Francois, Nan Goldin, Koo Jeong-A, Natacha Lesueur, Claude Levêque, Saverio Lucariello, Maria Marshall, Gilles Mahé, Philippe Parreno, Guillaume Pinard, Marc Quer, Philippe Ramette, Ugo Rondinone, Tatiana Trouvé, Uri Tzaig
