Second Edition of Ulassai Biennale Explores Artistic Meaning in Sardinian Village

The second edition of the Biennale di Ulassai has launched in the Sardinian village of Ulassai, running until June 7. This contemporary art event features twenty artists and three guest curators across two exhibition venues: Stazione dell'Arte, a contemporary art museum established in 2006 and dedicated to Maria Lai, and CaMuC – Casa Museo Cannas. The biennial's theme, 'Il Significato dell’Opera' (The Meaning of the Work), examines the conceptual and collective dimensions of artistic practice, drawing inspiration from the legacy of Maria Lai (1919–2013), who was born in Ulassai. Artistic director Gianni Murtas explained that the event builds on Lai's belief that artworks require creative interpretation to exist fully, aiming to explore her enduring ideas while reconsidering the relationship between artist and work in contemporary contexts. The exhibition showcases diverse media including painting, sculpture, photography, installation, video, and relational practices, reflecting the interdisciplinary approach characteristic of Lai's work. Three guest curators—Giannella Demuro, Ivo Serafino Fenu, and Francesca Sassu—have developed distinct sections. Demuro's 'Orografie. Arte giovane al Museo Organica' presents works by Fabiana Casu, Eleonora Desole, Giuseppe Loi, and Davide Mariani, focusing on ecological responsibility and dialogue with natural landscapes. Fenu's 'This Is' features ten artists paired into five collaborative groups, emphasizing relational dynamics reminiscent of Lai's community-engaged projects. Sassu's 'Campo Luminoso. Luci sulla campagna' includes Chiara Cordeschi, Laure Jolissaint, Josef Kováč, Renée Lotenero, and Simone Mizzotti, offering a poetic investigation of contemporary rural Sardinian life. The biennial highlights local artistic networks and their engagement with the territory, positioning Ulassai as a platform for artistic research within the Ogliastra region.