Florence Jung and Thomas Moor Present Conceptual Solo Shows at Despacio in San José

Two solo exhibitions opened simultaneously at Despacio in San José, Costa Rica, on July 26, 2016. Florence Jung's "Nadie Nada Nunca" presents a collection of books documenting every copy of Don Quijote removed from Costa Rica, though the physical copies remain hidden. The French conceptual artist, who refuses to document her work, has shown at Manifesta 11 in Zurich and won the Swiss Performance Prize in 2013. Her project echoes Francis Alÿs's Fabiola Project while questioning authenticity through invented archives. Swiss artist Thomas Moor's "Herencias" features Cargo Veils, sculptures made from discarded bubble wrap and duct tape used to transport art, referencing absent artworks with titles like VonBrandenburg002. Moor also displays Islas De La Felicidad, pedestals holding museum gift shop mugs filled with coins, arranged on wrinkled art fair carpet. The exhibition includes fragmented poems by Sabrina Röthlisberger sourced from a delayed baggage receipt. Despacio, an independent art space led by curator Sandino Scheidegger, focuses on transience and the forgotten. Jung's work involves gathering copies across Costa Rica, listed in books with covers stating "El presente libro recopila todos los Quijotes retirados de Costa Rica." Moor, an art handler, previously created a false Starbucks franchise and a cotton suit for hugging artworks like Jeff Koons sculptures. The exhibitions explore themes of absence, value, and cultural heritage through conceptual approaches.