Celebrating the art of ‘play’ through sculpture and installations, Sartoria presents Kindergarten, an exhibition for people who never grew up.
Taking place in Modena’s 17th century Palazzina dei Giardini, curated by Giorgio de Mitri, Kindergarten is the experimental exhibition exploring the restrictions maturity can place on creative freedom. Organised by the Galleria Civica di Modena and the Fondazione de Mitri di Modena, with the participation of Sartoria and Slam Jam the show injects an energetic shot of frivolity into the Modena art scene. A stark stone room is scattered with interactive installations and life-size sculptures from artists including: Futura, Mode2, Os Gêmeos, Tom Sachs, Kostas Seremetis and Boris Tellegen (aka Delta). Posing intelligent and challenging questions as to what constitutes and separates art and entertainment, this playground of visual delights is an exciting and engaging project. i-D online caught up with Kindergarten curator Giorgio de Mitri to find out how what he was like as a little lad.
When did you first start working Kindergarten? It all started when I met the Director of the Galleria Civica, Marco Pierini. He offered me the space, Palazzina dei Giardini and we took it from there.
Child’s play is at the heart of the exhibition, what was your favourite game growing up and why? An Italian,electronic geophysical map that my Grandfather built for me. It’s a ‘connect the dots’ game where you have to match the dot that signals the position and the name of the place simultaneously. I still treasure it!
If you were to go back in time, what would you enjoy doing as your child-like self that you miss today? Playing with my parents and Grandparents.
When did you first become interested in art? I was very young when I discovered a Lao Tzu book on the shelves of my house. Flipping through the pages I read a beautiful aphorism that signed my life… “Live as if your life is a poem, place things around you as if the space is a painting.”
How did you go about selecting artists for the exhibition? They are among my best friends, and I love to work with friends!
What new, up-and-coming talent are you excited about right now? My son Lucio!
What comment upon society today does the exhibition make? Learn from the children.
What’s next for you? The future is unwritten…
Kindergarten takes place from June 30th to September 18th in the Palazzina dei Giardini, Modena, Italy.
