Thomas Hirschhorn's 'The Purple Line' at MAXXI Rome Confronts Post-Truth and Censorship
Swiss artist Thomas Hirschhorn, born in Bern in 1957, showcases 'The Purple Line' at MAXXI in Rome, under the curation of Hou Hanru and Luigia Lonardelli. This exhibition features collages set against vibrant purple walls, inviting viewers to reconsider their perspectives. Key topics addressed include post-truth, hypersensitivity, authenticity, and censorship. The display of uncensored faces and facts encased in plastic bags promotes interaction. Additionally, the Pixel-Collage series, initially unveiled on January 9, 2016, at Galerie Chantal Crousel in Paris, critiques themes of consumerism and conflict. Hirschhorn pays homage to Otto Freundlich, a Jewish artist who perished in 1943 at Majdanek. The exhibition also provides documentation and books, asserting that 'truth is visible only to those who will open their eyes.'
Key facts
- Thomas Hirschhorn's exhibition 'The Purple Line' is at MAXXI Rome.
- Curated by Hou Hanru and Luigia Lonardelli.
- Purple walls chosen to push perception to the limit.
- Space redesigned with changing directions to prevent seeing the end.
- Themes include post-truth, hypersensibility, authenticity, and censorship.
- Images are uncensored news photos wrapped in transparent plastic bags.
- Pixel-Collage series first shown on January 9, 2016 at Galerie Chantal Crousel in Paris.
- Hirschhorn references Otto Freundlich, a geometric abstraction pioneer who died at Majdanek concentration camp in 1943.
Entities
Artists
- Thomas Hirschhorn
- Otto Freundlich
Institutions
- MAXXI
- Galerie Chantal Crousel
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Bern
- Switzerland
- Paris
- France
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- Syria
- Palestine
- Majdanek