Jan Fabre's 'The Rhythm of the Brain' at Palazzo Merulana

Jan Fabre's exhibition 'The Rhythm of the Brain' opened at Palazzo Merulana in Rome, a space revitalized by Claudio and Elena Cerasi and CoopCulture. The show is in collaboration with Romaeuropa Festival. Curated by Achille Bonito Oliva and Melania Rossi, the exhibition features works in bronze, wax, drawings, and film-performance, exploring the brain as a central theme. Fabre, born in Antwerp in 1958, describes himself as a 'consilience artist,' merging science, art history, and politics. The exhibition includes the film-performance 'Do we feel with our brain and our heart?' created with neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti, known for mirror neuron research. Fabre discusses his Belgian identity, influenced by his French-speaking mother and Flemish father, and his admiration for Flemish masters like Rubens and van Eyck. He critiques the rise of nationalism in Flanders. The show also features drawings from his collaboration with Rizzolatti, and works referencing Jacques Mesrine. Fabre reflects on the art market, stating it should not dictate artistic practice. He highlights his early performance 'The Bic Art Room' (1981), where he spent three days drawing in a white room. The exhibition juxtaposes his works with pieces from the Cerasi collection, including artists like Donghi, Janni, Casorati, Capogrossi, and Cambellotti. Fabre has a long history with Rome, having worked with Romaeuropa since 1987 and with gallerist Mauro Nicoletti of Galleria Magazzino.