Social Unrest at MATTA Milano: Sabotage and Riot in Contemporary Art

Curated by Niccolò Gravina, the 'Social Unrest' exhibition at MATTA in Milan explores themes of sabotage, riot, and systemic violence through modern artistic expressions. It utilizes Slavoj Žižek's concept of subjective versus objective violence, emphasizing the role of riots in challenging established violence. Designed by Sabotage Practice, the exhibit includes a barricade symbolizing sabotage. Over two years, Gravina worked with various artists, drawing insights from Zoé Samudzi's research to present a range of artistic approaches. Notable contributors include Bernadette Corporation, Tony Cokes, and Hannah Black, among others. The exhibition also references Joshua Clover's 'Riot. Strike. Riot' (2016) and Judith Butler's 'Notes Toward a Performative Theory of Assembly' (2015). The event is set to take place at MATTA in Milan, with the source article dated September 2026.