Real Estate is the first major solo exhibition in Italy by Swiss artist Mai-Thu Perret (born 1976, lives and works in Geneva). Conceived in close exchange with the artist, the exhibition includes existing and new works—such as a life-size sculpture, which draws on Mai-Thu Perret’s interest in the gods of Roman mythology. Real Estate offers an overview of the themes, processes and materials explored by the artist: the sculptures, paintings, ceramic works, performances and texts stand at the intersection of contemporary culture, art history criticism and materiality. Mai-Thu Perret explores (and generates) feminist narratives and counter-narratives highlighting the role of the art object, introducing utilitarian, symbolic and even mystical possibilities into contexts that are often limited to formalist readings. The title of the exhibition Real Estate is not only a play on words with the Italian term ‘estate’ (the summer season) but refers to the title of the ‘living autobiography’ by writer Deborah Levy. In this sense, the artist reflects on the definition of ‘home’, domesticity and the connotations of gender in architecture – themes that are present throughout the exhibition. The show also includes a new spoken word piece by Tamara Barnett-Herrin.
at Istituto Svizzero, Rome
until June 26, 2022
