Jimmie Durham's Legacy in Venice: A Personal Recollection
Arianna Testino, a former student of Jimmie Durham at the IUAV University of Venice, reflects on the artist's influence and his relationship with the city. Durham led a workshop at IUAV during Testino's specialization year, focusing on Venice's materiality—its water, glass, stone, wood, air, and light. The workshop encouraged students to engage with the city's physical substance, prompting Testino to study and deconstruct Venice's water using scientific methods. Durham's approach to art was grounded in materiality, activism, and irony, informed by his Cherokee heritage and a critical view of historical and political mystifications. Testino recalls Durham's consistent demeanor—amused yet firm, light yet resolved—and his advice to ignore stupidity and seek intelligence. The article also mentions Durham's work "Carnivalesque Shark in Venice" (2015), installed at Fondazione Querini Stampalia in Venice. The piece serves as a personal tribute to Durham, who passed away in 2021.
Key facts
- Jimmie Durham taught a workshop at IUAV University of Venice.
- Arianna Testino was a student in Durham's workshop during her specialization year.
- The workshop focused on Venice's materiality, including water, glass, stone, wood, air, and light.
- Testino studied and deconstructed Venice's water using scientific methods.
- Durham's practice was rooted in materiality, activism, and irony.
- Durham was of Cherokee heritage.
- Durham's work 'Carnivalesque Shark in Venice' (2015) was installed at Fondazione Querini Stampalia.
- Durham died in 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Jimmie Durham
- Arianna Testino
Institutions
- IUAV University of Venice
- Fondazione Querini Stampalia
- Artribune
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Milan