Ragnar Kjartansson's 'The Sky in a Room' at San Carlo al Lazzaretto in Milan

Fondazione Trussardi presents 'The Sky in a Room' by Icelandic artist Ragnar Kjartansson at the Church of San Carlo al Lazzaretto in Milan from September 22 to October 25, 2020. The 16th-century church, originally built as an altar for plague victims, now hosts a durational performance where professional singers perform Gino Paoli's 'Il cielo in una stanza' on the church organ for six hours daily. The work, conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown, explores themes of isolation, intimacy, and collective memory. Kjartansson's piece transforms the space into a contemporary memorial, echoing the pandemic experience. The project replaces a postponed Olafur Eliasson installation for miart. Curator Massimiliano Gioni explains the choice of venue and song, emphasizing the tension between solitude and community. Performers are selected via an open call. The work was originally commissioned by Artes Mundi and National Museum Wales in 2018.