Wael Shawky Opens Three Exhibitions in Italy, Discusses Puppets and Politics
Wael Shawky, an Egyptian artist born in 1971 in Alexandria, is experiencing a significant year. He is a finalist for the Hugo Boss Prize and has won the inaugural Mario Merz Prize, alongside launching three exhibitions in Italy. A retrospective showcasing his Cabaret Crusades trilogy (2010–15) will open at Castello di Rivoli on November 2, while a solo exhibition featuring Al Araba Al Madfuna (2012–16) will be held at Fondazione Merz in Turin. Starting November 8, Lisson Gallery Milan will display his drawings and blown-glass puppets. Shawky is scheduled to speak at Artissima on November 5 at 5:30 PM. The Turin exhibitions, curated by Marcella Beccaria, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, and Abdellah Karroum, will be on view until February 5, 2017.
Key facts
- Wael Shawky is a finalist for the Hugo Boss Prize and winner of the first Mario Merz Prize.
- He opens three exhibitions in Italy: Castello di Rivoli (Nov 2), Fondazione Merz (Nov 2), and Lisson Gallery Milan (Nov 8).
- Castello di Rivoli presents the Cabaret Crusades trilogy (2010–15).
- Fondazione Merz presents the Al Araba Al Madfuna trilogy (2012–16).
- Lisson Gallery Milan shows drawings, a vitreous map, and blown-glass puppets.
- Shawky speaks at Artissima on November 5 at 5:30 PM.
- Cabaret Crusades retells the Crusades from an Arab perspective using puppets.
- Al Araba Al Madfuna explores metaphysics and treasure hunting in an Egyptian village.
- The third film of Al Araba Al Madfuna was shot at the Temple of Seti and the Osireion.
- Shawky used the Lupi collection of 200-year-old puppets from Turin for Cabaret Crusades.
- Both Turin exhibitions run until February 5, 2017.
- Curators: Marcella Beccaria and Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev (Castello di Rivoli); Abdellah Karroum (Fondazione Merz).
Entities
Artists
- Wael Shawky
- Mario Rizzi
- Kara Walker
- William Kentridge
- Usama ibn Munqidh
Institutions
- Castello di Rivoli
- Fondazione Merz
- Lisson Gallery
- Artissima
- Fondazione Pistoletto
- Kunst-Werke Berlin
- Serpentine Gallery
- Hugo Boss Prize
- Mario Merz Prize
- Ernst Schering Foundation
- Sfeir-Semler Gallery
- Lupi collection
Locations
- Alexandria
- Egypt
- Turin
- Italy
- Milan
- Rivoli
- Biella
- Damasco
- Syria
- Aleppo
- Al Araba Al Madfuna
- Zurich
- Berlin
- London