A New Exhibition in Milan Offers a Thought-Provoking Reconsideration of Minimalism—See Images Here

“X_Minimal” is currently on view at Cassina Projects.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Every month, hundreds of galleries showcase new exhibitions—and every week, we shine a spotlight on the exhibitions we think you should see. Check out what we have in store.

What You Need to Know: Curated by Friederike Nymphius, “X_Minimal”—as in “across minimal”—is a fascinating survey of Minimalist trends from the late 1970s to the present. While making no claim toward being comprehensive, the exhibition includes a daring array of artists who have pioneered their own defining signature styles while remaining within the discourse of Minimalism. Featured artists include Martin Boyce, Fernanda Gomes, Alicja Kwade, and Tatiana Trouvé, among others.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Why We Like It: While the discourse around Minimalism today tends to focus on its places of disconnection and unruly core tenants, this exhibition celebrates the movement’s heterodox interpretations since it first emerged in the early 1960s. Rather, artworks made decades apart and across a variety of media are interpreted within the lens of Minimalism’s potential to confront people with challenging questions, and its ability to provoke important discussions.

What the Gallery Says: “‘X_Minimal’ shows that the process of questioning and expanding the premises of Minimalism is still going on, giving way to a great diversity of interpretations, examinations, and appearances. As an instrument for ‘critical debate’ artists are again using its parameters in order to question cultural standards and to work on the gap between what is now and will be next. The formulaic definition typically employed for the Minimalism of being limited to minimal means is obsolete and no longer meets today’s requirements and should be replaced by terms such as concentration or investigation. Today this discussion includes mostly contemporary issues such as LGBT, diversity, identity, migration, power relations, language, environment, and the examination of failed utopias, bringing back into focus the human dimension. In a world where there is too much of everything, focusing on a little becomes a prominent differentiator and challenge for the artists,” wrote curator Friederike Nymphius in a text accompanying the exhibition.

See more installation images of “X_Minimal” below.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

Installation view “X_Minimal” 2021. Courtesy of Cassina Projects. Photograph by Roberto Marossi.

X_Minimal” curated by Friederike Nymphius, is on view at Cassina Projects in Milan through October 2, 2021.

 


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