The Milk of Dreams
La Biennale di Venezia, 2022
The Milk of Dreams is the 59th International Art Exhibition at la Biennale di Venezia, curated by Cecilia Alemani. The design of the main exhibition has been conceived by Formafantasma. Along with developing the general layout of the exhibition, the studio has designed five historical sections around which the rest of the artworks gravitates. These capsules are designed as micro-shows within the big show. They provide additional tools of investigation and introspection in regards to this year’s theme, and link artworks of the past. Fundamental components of the design are the use of textiles and colors that are changing according to the curatorial themes.
As visitors move through the exhibition in the Central Pavilion and the Corderie, they encounter five smaller, historical sections: miniature constellations of artworks, found objects, and documents, clustered together to explore certain key themes. Conceived like time capsules and designed by Formafantasma these shows within the show provide additional tools of investigation and introspection, weaving a web of references and echoes that link artworks of the past – including major museum loans and unconventional selections – to the pieces by contemporary artists in the surrounding space.
“The Witch’s Cradle” is the first of five time capsules featured in “The Milk of Dreams”. The space is designed as a monochromatic environment in ocher tones covering floor, ceiling and walls, with extensive use of carpeted surfaces and tone on tone velvet. The sense of wholeness is emphasized by the carpet, which curves and cover parts of the peripheral walls, reminding to a grotto made of fabric.
“Corps Orbite” is the second of five time featured in “The Milk of Dreams”. The art presented in this section is mainly focusing on textual art and calligraphy as an expressive tool beyond the convening of meaning. The design of the displays subtly refers to reading rooms and public libraries.
“Technologies of Enchantment” is the third of five time capsules of “The Milk of Dreams”. The exhibition design and material choices are conceived as an extension to the artworks displayed: a stainless steel sheet is used as the top layer of the central platform while a metallic looking moire fabric covers all the walls.This choice of textile is a subtle reference to Programed Art’s the play with visual perception.
“A Leaf a Gourd a Shell a Net a Bag a Sling a Snack a Bottle a Pot a Box a Container” is the fourth of five time capsules of “The Milk of Dreams”. The oval shape of the room evokes the feeling of being within a vessel. The palette of colors is limited to a warm tone of white and two tones of pinks, alluding to a uterine-organic environment.
“Seduction of the Cyborg” is the last of the five time capsules of “The Milk of Dreams”. The design references the iconography of the cyborg and the aseptic feeling of scientific laboratories. The cold atmosphere is emphasized by the use of color and by the light emitted from an imposing lightbox floating above the room.
