Christian Boltanski's Bologna Project Weaves Memory and Urban Space
In Bologna, Italy, a project centered on memory highlights the work of Christian Boltanski (Paris, 1944), commemorating events such as the Ustica tragedy. Partnering with curator Danilo Eccher, he presents an exhibition at MAMbo, complemented by various citywide events. Boltanski, who regards Bologna as his preferred Italian city, draws inspiration from his personal experiences, exemplified by the mountain of thermal blankets in Volver (2015-2017), which references both the Bologna station bombing and migrant rescues. The exhibition's design resembles a church, guiding visitors from birth (Coeur, 2005) to the afterlife (Animitas (Blanc), 2017). Additional elements include Les Regards billboards, heartbeat recordings, and a large trumpet in Patagonia, showcasing his myth-making and installations like Personnes.
Key facts
- Christian Boltanski is the subject of a large memory project in Bologna.
- The project commemorates anniversaries including the Ustica tragedy.
- Boltanski previously created the installation at the Museo per la Memoria di Ustica.
- Curator Danilo Eccher collaborated on the project.
- The exhibition is at MAMbo with satellite events in Bologna's suburbs.
- The exhibition layout is inspired by a church, with works from Coeur (2005) to Animitas (Blanc) (2017).
- Les Regards features billboards of partisan eyes in peripheral areas.
- Boltanski is building a giant trumpet in Patagonia that reproduces whale sounds.
- The performance Ultima was created with Franck Krawczyk and Jean Kalman.
- Boltanski's work includes myth-making projects and reconstructive installations like Personnes.
Entities
Artists
- Christian Boltanski
Institutions
- MAMbo – Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna
- Museo per la Memoria di Ustica
- Villa delle Rose
- Grand Palais
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- Paris
- France
- Patagonia
- Milano
- Tokyo
- New York