ar/ge kunst Bolzano announces 2020 program with international artists

Emanuele Guidi, director of ar/ge kunst in Bolzano, outlines the gallery's 2020 program. The year will feature four solo exhibitions and the One Year-Long Research Project residency. The program focuses on emerging and mid-career artists, with new commissions and productions. Key exhibitions include Ho Tzu Nyen's first Italian solo show (February 21), featuring VR; Mohamed Bourouissa's project on Franz Fanon; Elena Mazzi's "Silver Rights" (September), winner of the seventh Italian Council; and Jessika Khazrik's first solo show (November), examining Italy-Lebanon toxic waste trafficking. The residency artist for 2020/2021 is Katrin Hornek, in collaboration with BAU. The gallery also highlights Lorenzo Pezzani's "Hostile Environment" exhibition (closed February 9), co-produced with Z33 Hasselt and the Faculty of Design and Art of the University of Bolzano. Italian artists are represented through Pezzani, Mazzi, and the book "Never Again" by Elisa Caldana and Diego Tonus. Funding comes from the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio, the City of Bolzano, and new sponsor Dr. Schär. Guidi reflects on 2019, noting works by Slavs and Tatars and Otobong Nkanga commissioned by ar/ge kunst were included in the Venice Biennale, with Nkanga receiving a special mention. He emphasizes the need for institutions to balance local engagement with research complexity, and prioritizes artist support over visitor numbers.