Sheng Wen-Lo's 'Not Bad Intentions' Examines Human-Animal Coexistence at Turin's Exposed Festival

The second edition of Exposed, Turin's contemporary photography festival, concludes with a mixed reception, featuring 28 temporary exhibitions across 23 venues compared to 12 in 7 locations in 2024. Criticisms include a reduced number of projects and lower-quality installations, particularly at the Accademia Albertina, which detracted from works by Lisa Barnard and Georges Senga. Despite these setbacks, standout shows include Carrie Mae Weems' retrospective at Gallerie d'Italia, a group exhibition on AI at OGR, and Taiwanese artist Sheng Wen-Lo's solo show at the Archivio di Stato. Titled 'Not Bad Intentions. Attempts to Coexist,' the exhibition curated by Daria Tuminas uses photography, video, installations, and participatory approaches to challenge anthropocentrism. It features three projects: 'Matter of Scale' critiques industrial seaweed cultivation using discarded fishing nets donated by Italian NGO Ogyre; 'Down' presents a functional down jacket made from goose feathers collected in the Netherlands, advocating for animal-free protection; and 'White Bear' exposes the exploitation of polar bears in zoos and tourist attractions worldwide. Lo's didactic approach aims to educate viewers on environmental and animal welfare issues.