Lugano
This year the gallery presents the project Shifting surfaces, which examines the dynamic interplay between painting and sculpture, challenging traditional notions of form, material, and blurring the lines between two- and three-dimensional art. It is structured as an exploration of the interplay between painting and sculpture and features works by some of the most influential artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as artists from younger generation. All of these artistic figures have challenged the boundaries of traditional art forms, creating works that defy categorisation and challenge our everyday perception. While working in different styles and mediums, they share a common vision: to challenge traditional notions of art and invite the viewer to actively participate in the experience.
The surface of a work of art represents a site of meaning and a place where artists may challenge traditional notions of the artwork. The boundary between the artwork and its environment is not merely a passive receptacle for the artist’s message; rather, it is a dynamic and active element that shapes the viewer’s perception. The surface therefore functions as a site of tension, contradiction, or ambiguity, inviting the spectator to construct their own meaning. The artist encodes hidden messages or subtle cues that must be deciphered, providing the framework within which the viewer’s imagination can operate and facilitating the production of the artwork’s meaning.