Ardian Isufi's 'Sogno metallurgico' Retrospective in Bari

The first Italian retrospective of Albanian artist Ardian Isufi (born 1973 in Tirana) is on view at Teatro Kursaal Santalucia in Bari. Titled 'Sogno metallurgico,' the exhibition critiques capitalist contradictions, failed Eastern dictatorships, and unkept political promises to the Albanian people amid an identity crisis. Curated by Gaetano Centrone and directed by Elton Koritari, the show is promoted by the Regione Puglia and Fondazione Pino Pascali. Outside the theater, a taxidermied wolf wearing red Spiderman-style boots symbolizes the 'fall of myths.' Inside, 'Il complotto di Tirana' (2001–2021) references the 2001 Tirana Biennale scandal where unknown individuals deceived artistic director Giancarlo Politi into exhibiting works by four fake artists. In the Sala Giuseppina, three LED walls of 'Disney Metallurgico' (2021) show black-and-white images of disused industrial landscapes from Enver Hoxha's industrialization plan, overlaid with fuchsia roller coasters evoking Mario Merz's neon works. In the Sala Cielo, 'U.F.O. Unidentified False Object Nr.1 (Bunker)' (2024) is a 1:1 resin replica of one of Hoxha's bunkers, converted by locals into an Orthodox chapel, surrounded by 28 cement 'Bon bon' sculptures referencing obstacles still present in Tirana's streets.