Adrian Tranquilli's 'Giorni di un futuro passato' at MANN, Naples

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN) hosts 'Giorni di un futuro passato', a retrospective of Australian-born artist Adrian Tranquilli (b. 1966, Melbourne), curated by Eugenio Viola. Running until June 6, the exhibition juxtaposes Tranquilli's anti-heroic figures with classical statues from the museum's collection, creating what Viola describes as a 'disorienting short circuit' between tragic anti-heroes and heroic ancient sculptures. The show spans multiple series from 1998 to 2014, including 'Future imperfect' (1998-1999), 'Heroes' (2000-2005), 'Know yourself' (2002-2004), 'These Imaginary Boys' (2004), 'The Age of Chance' (2005), 'This is not a love song' (2005-2010), 'Don't Forget the Joker' (2006-2009), 'All is violent all is bright' (2009-2011), 'In Excelsis' (2011-2013), and 'After the West' (2014). Works from 'After the West', inspired by Alan Moore's graphic novel 'V for Vendetta', critique the power of a ruling minority over the productive majority, echoing Joseph Beuys. Concurrently, a related exhibition titled 'After the West' is on view at Studio Stefania Miscetti in Rome until July 29. The retrospective engages with themes of myth, superheroes, and contemporary traumas, reflecting on the collapse of grand narratives, political failure, and the rise of 'dumbocracy'.