Must-See Art Guide: Italy

This week's guide includes Stanley Whitney, Thomas Struth, Gilberto Zorio, and more.

Those of you lucky enough to be in Italy this week can’t afford to miss Artissima. As one Italy’s most important art fairs (sorry, Venice Biennale!), Artissima gathers 200 galleries from around the world in Torino for three days dedicated to celebrating the best of emerging artists and collectible contemporary art. And hey, since you’re in Italy already, why not jaunt around to different cities and check out what else is currently on view in the country’s best galleries? Our guide has got you covered, from Florence to Naples.

Grab a stiff espresso, and hop aboard a train to Milan, because this stylish city is packed with shows of every stripe, from painting to sound art to…snail art? First stop, Monica de Cardenas, to see Thomas Struth’s latest show of large-scale photographs documenting three very different subjects: scientific research centers, Disneyland California, and Israel and the West Bank. Next, head to Brand New Gallery to enjoy Ry David Bradley’s dreamy, psychedelic digital paintings. He sources his images from the New York Library archive of rare pictures, and uses a complex technique of heated dyes on suede to achieve a uniquely gorgeous surface, so be sure to see these in person while you can. Once you’ve had your fill, visit celebrated American painter Stanley Whitney’s debut exhibition with Lisson Gallery, featuring his signature, blocky abstraction. Before leaving Milan, don’t forget to stop by Nicolas Party’s whimsically named “Snails’ Chapel”—which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. A site-specific installation, Party fully transforms one of the rooms of Kaufmann Repetto gallery into a frescoed, early-Renaissance-esque chapel dedicated to the humble snail. It’s a playful, tongue-in-cheek gesture, and a very charming one.

Nicolas Party, Snails’ Chapel detail (2015). Courtesy of Kaufmann Repetto.

Nicolas Party, Snails’ Chapel detail (2015). Courtesy of Kaufmann Repetto.

From there, let’s skip around to different destinations: In Venice, there’s the long-running installation of Igor Mitoraj’s classical, poetic sculptural fragments at Gallerie d’Arte Contini. While you’re there, you should also make time for the Guggenheim Venice collection, currently exhibiting the paintings of V.S. Gaitonde. In Florence, Il Ponte hosts Jan Fabre’s first solo exhibition, consisting of a grand narrative film following the journey of a fairytale knight—played by the artist himself, of course. In Naples, Galleria Lia Rumma displays the interdisciplinary work of Gilberto Zorio, including neon signs, a bowl of sulfur, and mechanized sculpture, so be sure and stop by to piece it all together. Lastly, let’s visit Rome for the MAXXI, or the National Museum of Art from the 21st Century. The building itself, designed by Zaha Hadid, is worth the visit alone, and you can currently see an exhibition of photographer and filmmaker Olivio Barbieri on display.

Had enough yet? If that’s a yes, prop up your feet and enjoy a bellini, a negroni, or something else Italian and lovely. It’s been a good trip for art and art lovers all around.

Gilberto Zorio, installation view. Courtesy of Galleria Lia Rumma.

Gilberto Zorio, installation view. Courtesy of Galleria Lia Rumma.

Exhibition: “Gilberto Zorio
When: September 20–December 19, 2015
Where: Galleria Lia Rumma, Via Vannella Gaetani 12, Naples, Italy

Enrico Castellani, Untitled (1963). Courtesy of Cardi Gallery.

Enrico Castellani, Untitled (1963). Courtesy of Cardi Gallery.

Exhibition: Enrico Castellani
When:
September 22–December 31, 2015
Where:
Cardi Gallery, Corso di Porta Nuova 38, Milan, Italy

Ry David Bradley, WDYWTGT #11 (2015). Courtesy of Brand New Gallery.

Ry David Bradley, WDYWTGT #11 (2015). Courtesy of Brand New Gallery.

Exhibition: RY DAVID BRADLEY: Where Do You Want To Go Today?
When: September 24–November 7, 2015
Where:
Brand New Gallery, Via Farini 32, Milan, Italy

Peter Vogel, Tonkreisel (particolare) (2009). Courtesy of MAAB S.r.l.

Peter Vogel, Tonkreisel (particolare) (2009). Courtesy of MAAB S.r.l.

Exhibition: Peter Vogel – Ritmi cibernetici
When:
October 2–November 20, 2015
Where:
MAAB S.r.l., Via Nerino 3, Milan, Italy

Tobias Zielony, installation view. Courtesy of Galleria Lia Rumma.

Tobias Zielony, installation view. Courtesy of Galleria Lia Rumma.

Exhibition: Tobias Zielony ‘Tell me something about you’
When:
October 20–December 20, 2015
Where:
Galleria Lia Rumma, Via Stilicone 19, Milan, Italy

Exhibition: A Homage to Igor Mitoraj
When:
May 1–November 30, 2015
Where:
Galleria d’Arte Cortini, San Marco 2288, Calle Larga XXII Marzo, Venice, Italy

Exhibition: Nicolas Party: Snails’ Chapel
When:
September 17–November 17, 2015
Where:
Kaufmann Repetto, Via di Porta Tenaglia, Milan, Italy

Jan Fabre, Lancelot (2004). Courtesy of Il Ponte.

Jan Fabre, Lancelot (2004). Courtesy of Il Ponte.

Exhibition: Jon Fabre: knight of the night
When:
October 2–December 18, 2015
Where:
Galleria Il Ponte, Via di Mezzo 42/b, Florence, Italy

Thomas Struth, Ride, Anaheim (2013). Courtesy of Monica de Cardenas.¬

Thomas Struth, Ride, Anaheim (2013). Courtesy of Monica de Cardenas.¬

Exhibition:Thomas Struth
When:
September 23–November 28, 2015
Where:
Monica De Cardenas, Via Francesco Viganò 4, Milan, Italy

Stanley Whitney. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Stanley Whitney. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Exhibition: Stanley Whitney: Paintings
When:
October 2–November 12, 2015
Where:
Lisson Gallery, Via Zenale 3, Milan

Victoria Stoian, Codri Earthquake. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Victoria Stoian, Codri Earthquake. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Exhibition: VICTORIA STOIAN – Rallenting. Codri Earthquake
When: October 2–November 12, 2015
Where:
Lisson Gallery, Via Zenale 3, Milan

VS-Gaitonde

Exhibition: V.S. Gaitonde: Painting as Process, Painting as Life
When: October 10–January 10, 2016
Where:
Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, Dorsoduro 701, Venice, Italy

Exhibition: Olivio Barbieri: Images 1978–2014
When: May 29–January 3, 2016
Where:
MAXXI, Via Guido Reni, Rome, Italy


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