GenuardiRuta: Duo Interview on Collaborative Practice and Palermo Scene

Antonella Genuardi (Sciacca, 1986) and Leonardo Ruta (Ragusa, 1990) have worked as a duo since 2014, when they first juxtaposed individual works at an Osservatorio Arti Visive event at Accademia di Belle Arti di Palermo. Their collaborative practice focuses on space creation, inspired by Pompeian frescoes. In 2016, their site-specific work at Palazzo Ziino used architectural elements as structural supports. Their latest installation at Castello di Carini (until March 4) explores light, shadow, and perspective. Since December 2017, they have been artistic directors of L'Ascensore, an 8-square-meter non-profit space founded in 2015 by collector Alberto Laganà, located in Palermo's historic center. The space hosts 24/7 illuminated exhibitions, currently featuring Federica Di Carlo's "Waves" curated by Giuliana Benassi (until February 18), followed by Vincenzo Ferlita. Upcoming artists include Diego Miguel Mirabella and Lithuanian duo Pakui Hardware. Genuardi and Ruta see L'Ascensore as a connector for emerging Sicilian artists with the international art world. They cite other Palermo initiatives like Stefania Galegati Shines' Caffè Internazionale and Giuseppe Buzzotta's Progetto MOON Contemporary at Castello di Carini, as well as non-Sicilian figures Daniela Bigi and Toni Romanelli who have contributed to the local scene.