ACADEMIÆ Biennial Launches at Fortezza Fortress with 35 Emerging Artists

The first edition of ACADEMIÆ, a biennial event dedicated to students from international art academies, schools, and universities, opens on July 1, 2016, at the Fortezza/Franzensfeste fortress in Bressanone-Bolzano, Italy. Conceived by the ArtintheAlps Verein association and curated by Christiane Rekade and Francesca Boenzi, the event features 35 emerging artists selected in collaboration with 11 artist-professors from European academies. The theme, "Throwing Balls in the Air," references a series by conceptual artist John Baldessari, emphasizing artistic process, play, and failure. The fortress previously hosted Manifesta 7 in 2008. A publication accompanying the exhibition explores the role of art schools and education. Side events include a photography storyboard and short film by students from the Free University of Bolzano under Prof. Kuno Prey, a film screening with Filmclub, and a performance by Bolzano Danza. Scouting activities involve galleries Casciaro (Bolzano), Boccanera (Trento), and Ghetta (Ortisei), which will select young artists for solo shows in 2017. The event runs until October 30, 2016.