Palermo's L'Ascensore Marks 10 Years with Third Location

L'Ascensore, a micro art space in Palermo founded in 2015 by collector Alberto Laganà and artist Gianluca Concialdi, celebrates its tenth anniversary by relocating to a third, larger venue at Via Pacini 19. Originally an 8-square-meter window project in a historic center alley, it has evolved into an 80-square-meter space across three rooms. The move, inaugurated on November 15, 2025, with a group show of past artists, reflects the space's growth from an artist-run initiative to a more ambitious platform. Artistic direction passed to the duo Genuardi/Ruta (Antonella Genuardi and Leonardo Ruta) in 2017 after Concialdi's departure. The new venue aims to host exhibitions, workshops, and residencies. Upcoming shows include Lorenzo Testa (January 2026), Sonia Kacem, and Mina Enowaki's first Italian solo. A new publication by Giorgia Di Stefano documents the decade. L'Ascensore's journey parallels Palermo's cultural shifts, including the 2015 Manifesta and Capital of Culture 2018, and now anchors the Zisa/Olivuzza district, an emerging art hub with studios and spaces like Josephine Flasseur's Officina. Laganà emphasizes the project's foundation in friendship and uncertainty, stating, 'The original uncertainty turned out to be our strength.'