What Where / Was Wo
Virginia Ariu and Vittorio Santoro
27 April - 25 May, 2024
The exhibition What Where / Was Wo brings two artists, Virginia Ariu and Vittorio Santoro, together for their ability to explore the almost metaphysical boundaries that interwind the physical space of Lighthaus. Consider the neighbouring proximity of Kunsthaus Zurich, and the adjacent Rämistrasse, which is where the medieval defensive wall once stood, now home to one of the densest contemporary art streets in Europe. Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, pedagogue and education reformer, is said to be born in an unknown building next door to the exhibition space, perhaps it was even in the recently renovated Pro Helvetia building. It could be coincidence, however it is possible that these unforeseen boundaries and historical actions, have influenced our present language, so what might we say about the future.
In the exhibition, Virginia Ariu presents a series of collages, either material or digitalised and re- printed, that serve as the cornerstone of her work, which is based on detailed research. Her practice is an ongoing exploration of reconstruction through collecting, rewriting, stretching and rearranging objects and concepts. Through photography, Virginia presents this conceptual journey by documenting her deconstructive process. The visual elements presented in the works on show include images from previous works, ranging from personal photographs to assembled reproductions of printed material. This research represents a constantly evolving form aimed at flattening traditional categories and levelling pictorial hierarchies.
Vittorio Santoro's work in the exhibition comprises two key components. Firstly, a movement diagram is portrayed by tape on the stone-paved floor of the courtyard by the artist and, previously to the opening, enacted in real-time by both exhibiting artists. At the intersection of these movements, Virginia whispers one of the four sentences, she chose from the ones provided earlier by Vittorio’s protocol, to him, which he then conveys to the curator, Orlando. Orlando transcribes this sentence on the already written protocol text. This text is subsequently displayed on the walls within the exhibition space, offering a reflective gaze onto the courtyard where the performance took place some days ago.
