Giovanni Morbin's Prehistory on display in Bologna

In conjunction with the 12th edition of ARTCITY Bologna and by BolognaFiere on the occasion of Arte Fiera from Feb. 2 to 4, the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna’s Civic Museums Sector is hosting Giovanni Morbin ’s solo exhibition entitled Indispensable, scheduled from Jan. 26 to Feb. 25, 2024. Curated by Daniele Capra, the exhibition presents a selection of about fifty sculptural works created by the artist from the mid-1980s to the present, as well as new performances conceived by Morbin himself for the occasion.

The origin of the exhibition Indispensable lies in Morbin’s interest in some archaeological artifacts kept in the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna, focusing on tools and instruments developed by man since prehistoric times. The exhibition focuses on the artist’s works that consider the work as an essential device for performing unusual conceptual or imaginary functions. In the exhibition, the Tools series stands out.

The centerpiece of the artist’s poetics and conceived in the late 1980s, comprising works such as Broken Arm, Leave, and Handle T shovel. These creations are inspired by the observation of vegetation and the structural constraints underlying both plants and human beings, such as gravity, fragility, and the ability to repair after a break. The work Social Sculpture (2003-2023) is composed of freely combinable hemispherical metal modules that dialogue with their surroundings by acting as a “social” tool capable of interacting with the context. Manmissore (2023) is a bone concrete volume representing the empty space between the artist’s hands at rest. Manmano (2023-2024), on the other hand, originates from a cast that compresses a portion of clay between the hands for a minimal amount of time, evidence of force applied on both sides and the use of hands as expressive tools. Also among the tool series is Strumento a perdifiato (1996) a brass work resembling an orchestral horn. This sculpture facilitates communication without an addressee, paradoxically allowing the individual to use his breath for an invisible but present interlocutor: himself.

Indispensable is accompanied by a catalog, which will be published during the exhibition, with images of the installation, texts by Daniele Capra, Denis Isaia, and a conversation between Giovanni Morbin and Simone Menegoi. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with Settore Musei Civici Bologna | Museo Civico Archeologico, with the support of Galerie Michaela Stock.

Giovanni Morbin's Prehistory on display in Bologna

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.