| A stunning group exhibition, The Objects of Sleep was one of Art Space Beijings highlights of the year. Featuring an exciting group of extraordinary international artists, curated by the inovative Stefania Carrozzini, The Objects of Sleep included Annamaria Cimbal, Amy Cohen Banker, Yvonne Manfrini, Antonella Massa, Elisa Mazza, Rosanna Nisi, Renata Kalamari, Marisa Pezzoli, Maria Chiara Zarabini. The theme of the exhibition explores the nature of creation and visual perception in relations to “the theatre of sleep.” Curator Stefania Carrozzini’s utilizes the talent of her artists to investigate the environment, situations, and objects that comprise the performance of a special moment, which is that of falling asleep. In the case of Rosanna Nisi and Maria Chiara Zarabini the objects and sleeping have here a mirror like value. They cannot be set aside from the sleeper. |
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Mai Wong
A stunning group exhibition, The Objects of Sleep was one of Art Space Beijings highlights of the year. Featuring an exciting group of extraordinary international artists, curated by the inovative Stefania Carrozzini, The Objects of Sleep included Annamaria Cimbal, Amy Cohen Banker, Yvonne Manfrini, Antonella Massa, Elisa Mazza, Rosanna Nisi, Renata Kalamari, Marisa Pezzoli, Maria Chiara Zarabini.
The theme of the exhibition explores the nature of creation and visual perception in relations to “the theatre of sleep.” Curator Stefania Carrozzini’s utilizes the talent of her artists to investigate the environment, situations, and objects that comprise the performance of a special moment, which is that of falling asleep. In the case of Rosanna Nisi and Maria Chiara Zarabini the objects and sleeping have here a mirror like value. They cannot be set aside from the sleeper. This unique concept results in an interesting collection on aesthetics that both relate to sleep in a literal sense (a bed, a frame and mattress, sheets, pillows, sleeping tablets, books and TV sets) and those that don’t, such as visual depictions of exhaustion insomnia, and light which penetrates the exhibition space.
Resonating with an unmatched spiritual force, both Renata Kalamari and Annamaria Cimbal’s visionary works create images that combine both text and geometric design, demonstrating both artists’ obsessive attention to detail. Also working in a spiritual vein, Yvonne Manfrini creates lovely multimedia works, compelling, but ambiguous, her works add a dream-like aesthetic to the show. Working with paint in a sculptural capacity a poetic and visceral manner Amy Cohen Banker recognizes the medium’s potential: she rolls, smears, and folds an assortment of materials in order to maximize their natural qualities. In her piece, compositional panels investigate an expanse of nature-based themes. By focusing on the lack of boundaries between being conscious and subconscious, and their endless upward and downward reach, the viewer is asked to reconsider all self-constructed barriers.
Elisa Mazza’s approach to The Object of Sleep is subtle and delicate, though nonetheless highly dynamic. She constructs carefully designed compositions that contrast beautifully with Antonella Massa who creates bold and powerful sculptural statements that demonstrate the artist’s excavation of secret memories and hidden stories. Marisa Pezzoli uses fabric and form to symbolize how sleeping is one of the few moments during which our right to privacy may not be violated: and our dreams can definitely edited or censored. “The isle of slumber” as Carrozzini’s refers to it, is a place to be defended, to be kept apart from noise and semantics of everyday life. All in all, The Objects of Sleep demonstrates Carrozzini’s overarching vision that sleep can provide humans with a space of reverie and contemplation, as well as being a source of peace and spiritual motivation.
