Artists and Islands: From Superstudio to Cao Fei

The article explores the theme of islands in contemporary art, examining how isolation and separation can fuel creative energy. It references Superstudio's 'Supersuperficie' (1971), where domestic objects are arranged outdoors in a cold, empty space, metaphorically floating. The Japanese group The Play created an arrow-shaped raft crossing the Yodo River in Kyoto in the late 1960s. In 1983, Christo and Jeanne-Claude completed 'Surrounded Islands' in Biscayne Bay, Miami, wrapping several atolls in pink fabric for two weeks. Anna Galtarossa and Daniel Gonzalez's 'Chili Moon Town' (2007) in Mexico City is described as a utopian floating city that migrates with people's dreams. Cao Fei's 'RMB City' (2009) was a virtual island platform in Second Life. Riccardo Benassi's 'Piramide di vetro antiproiettile per l’isola di San Paolo' (2009), owned by the Beretta family, was recently shown in 'Hidden Displays 1975-2020' at MAMbo in Bologna.