Kunstschau Collective's 'EU' Exhibition Tackles Euthanasia Debate in Lecce

The Kunstschau collective, comprising Violetta Barba, Chiara Bevilacqua, Anna Dormio, Roberto Lacarbonara, Laura Lerario, and Giancarlo Nunziato, has mounted its first self-curated exhibition titled 'EU' at Kunstschau Contemporary Place in Lecce, Italy. The show addresses the ethical and political debate on euthanasia, which is currently active in Italy and across Europe, particularly in light of the Italian referendum proposal 'Eutanasia legale. Liberi fino alla fine.' The installation features a floor made of green sponge bricks—the same hydrophilic sponge used in floriculture to artificially keep cut flowers alive—and a shelf with four green coats symbolizing the four European countries that have legalized euthanasia. The space is described as aseptic and devoid of human presence. The exhibition's title plays on the etymology of 'euthanasia' (from Greek 'eu' meaning 'good' and 'thanatos' meaning 'death') and the abbreviation for the European Union.