PhMuseum's Curae Participants Present Their Collective Exhibition In Rome This Saturday

Axis of Relating is a group show, curated by Marta Blanchietti, and the final outcome of Curae, the online curatorial program by PhMuseum, led by Niccolò Fano

After Folio and Criticae, Curae is the third online long-term program conceived by PhMuseum in an attempt to offer accessible and international education opportunities. Under the guidance of Niccolò Fano, founder and director of Matèria Gallery in Rome, participants worked for 8 months on the development of their personal curatorial voice, while receiving the tools to structure a coherent exhibition proposal. As its first cycle comes to an end, the Gallery Vitrine will showcase a collective dialogue questioning the theme of community featuring works by Carlos Barradas, Tara Holmes, Catarina Lay, Caroline Mardok, Alyssa Meadows, and Eva Zanettin.

Through the double nature of the installation, showcased both in a physical vitrine in Rome and in a virtual showroom, visitors can explore the exhibition's concept following a more expansive approach. The artists' works analyse the positive and negative aspects of belonging to a community, from the joy and positive energy of the trans, queer, and black movements in New York depicted in Mardok's project, to the darker sides of social groups constraining and imposing their views, as we can see in Meadows' series. Holmes' work explores the relationship between bodies and technology, and how humans relate to virtual communities, while Barradas' research takes us to Sao Tomè e Principe, examining how being part of D’jambi becomes a collective healing ritual for the local community to overcome the problematic legacy of colonialism. Lay brings into focus the intimacy of home and family, and how it can make individuals feel alone if they do not perceive themselves as belonging to a broader community. 

Despite the apparent diversity of approaches, the exhibition curated by Marta Blanchietti results in an exchange of ideas and perspectives among the participants. Through the Axis of Relating exhibition, visitors are invited to join a visual conversation on the sense of belonging as a central element of human existence, one that speaks of home, civil rights, communities, and their power to shape realities. Eventually, we'll realise we are looking at humanity in its broadest meaning, and all its fluid facets.

In parallel with the opening, Matèria will present Table of Contents, a special event dedicated to the photographic medium and the photobook form, hosting some of the most interesting independent cultural realities from Rome.

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The exhibition runs at Matèria Gallery's Vitrine and online until April 8, 2023. Below you can find all the practical info.

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Where: Matèria, Via dei Latini, 27, 00185 Rome, Italy

Admission: Free

When: 11 March - 8 April 2023

Vernissage: 11 March | 7pm-9pm

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Matèria is based in the neighbourhood of San Lorenzo in Rome and opened its doors to the public in 2015. The gallery proposes an exhibition programme that touches upon all aspects of Contemporary Art, with a particular focus on the role and use of the photographic medium. Since its founding, Matèria’s purpose has been the furthering and development of the work of its selected group of Artists. The gallery programme features four exhibitions per calendar year, conceived and produced directly with its artists and often in dialogue with the space through a site-specific approach. Matèria’s gallery shows strive to further the research and experimentation aspects of artistic practice, with the results of this approach often showcased in a growing list of Italian and international art fairs.

Designed for authors, emerging curators, and gallerists, Curae is PhMuseum Online Masterclass focused on surveying the relevant aspects surrounding the planning, curation, logistics and commercial variables within the realm of contemporary exhibitions and gallery/artist relations. Under the guidance of Niccolò Fano, founder and director of Matèria gallery in Rome, participants will work on the development of a personal curatorial concept and receive the tools to structure a coherent exhibition proposal. Through this Masterclass you will obtain a comprehensive understanding of exhibition design practices, research processes, archival standards, legal and bureaucratic frameworks and finalization requirements tied to the production of a solo/group exhibition.