Mike Nelson's labyrinthine exhibition at Parma's Palazzo dell'Agricoltore

Mike Nelson's exhibition at the Palazzo dell'Agricoltore in Parma occupies all five floors of the monumental fascist-era building. Visitors are greeted with 'Welcome to the labyrinth.' The installations, composed of wood, stones, and rusty agricultural tools, appear as unexpected emergences at the end of long corridors, on landings, and in empty rooms offering views of the historic center. The materials come from land reclamation near the city, giving the works a visceral connection to agriculture. The palace, built in 1939 to house agricultural institutions, later housed the Banco di Napoli and other offices. In 2020, it was purchased by Immobiliare Beneficium, owned by the Chiesi and Bollati families, who also sponsored the exhibition curated by Didi Bozzini. They plan to transform the building into a 'regenerative hotel' by 2023, positioning the show as a preview of the larger project.