MARINA ABRAMOVIC – THE KITCHEN
opening 12.05.2017
dates 13.05.2017 – 26.11.2017
Zuecca Project Space, in collaboration with Lisson Gallery, presents a solo exhibition of work by leading international artist Marina Abramovic timed to coincide with the opening of the 57th International Art Exhibition – la Biennale di Venezia (13 May – 26 November 2017).
The works on display in Venice feature videos and photographs from the artist’s “The Kitchen“ series, all of which were performed, filmed and photographed in an abandoned kitchen in the former nunnery La Laboral in Gijón, Spain.
Now a sprawling arts complex, the convent fed more than 8,000 orphans when active and strongly resonates with the history of Zuecca Project Space, which is housed within La Zitelle, a sixteenth-century Venetian monastery that provided shelter and education to young orphaned girls, who would build their dowries by working in the Zuecca Room.
“The Kitchen VIII” by Marina Abramović, 2009. From the Series “The Kitchen, Homage to Saint Therese”. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery
The writings of Saint Therese of Ávila, a 16th-century nun who was said to have levitated in church and once – to her annoyance – in her kitchen while making soup, is cited as inspiration for the series, as well as Abramovic’s own diaries, where she confesses her anger at divine forces.
Although born as an homage to Saint Teresa, the works become above all autobiographical. As the artist states: “In my childhood the kitchen of my grandmother was the centre of my world: all the stories were told in the kitchen, all the pieces of advice regarding my life were given in the kitchen, all the future-telling through the cups of black coffee took place in the kitchen, so it was really the centre of the world, and all my best memories come from there.”
The exhibition includes three single screen installations, all from 2009: “The Levitation of Saint Theresa“, “Holding the Milk” and “Vanitas“.
“The Kitchen IV ” by Marina Abramović, 2009. From the Series: “The Kitchen, Homage to Saint Therese”. Courtesy of Lisson Gallery
The films record simple actions by the artist, facing the camera and barely moving, like a tableau vivant. In “The Kitchen I: Levitation of Saint Theresa“, viewers watch as Abramovic levitates in air, a symbolic cross between Christ’s crucifixion and his ascension, until her body inevitably tenses and she begins to shake.
The truth of the body is similarly weaved into “The Kitchen V: Holding the Milk“, where the artist is shown holding a pot of milk until her muscles refuse to be quieted, the milk spills and the sounds of splashing interrupt the visual spell.
“The Kitchen VI: Vanitas” shows Abramovic’s hands outstretched behind a ceramic human skull, either as an offering or a miraculous reveal, until her hands start to flutter, calling to mind the movement of angelic wings.
The videos are presented alongside a range of photographs from the series. While some reference the paintings of Caravaggio or Zurbarán, all of them include portraits of Abramovic, clad in black, cooking, meditating or levitating in the same kitchen as the films.
The exhibition is realized with the kind support of Hausbrandt Trieste 1892 S.p.A.
Installation shot of “Marina Abramović – The Kitchen”, Zuecca Project Space, Venice, 2017. Image courtesy of Zuecca Projects
Marina Abramovic – The Kitchen
Opening: May 12, 2017 | 06 PM
May 13 > November 26, 2017 | 10 AM – 06 PM
Closed on Monday. Free Entry
Zuecca Project Space | Giudecca 33, Venice 30133