Zasha Colah and Francesca Verga Appointed New Artistic Directors of ar/ge kunst Bolzano
Starting in January 2023, Zasha Colah and Francesca Verga will take on the roles of artistic directors at ar/ge kunst in Bolzano for a three-year term, following Emanuele Guidi. Chosen from nearly 70 candidates by a jury chaired by Luigi Fassi, their vision is to foster cultural dialogue between South Tyrol, Italy, and the global community, with a focus on contemporary feminist discussions, youth initiatives, and intercultural interactions. Colah, who was born in Mumbai in 1982, teaches at NABA and co-founded the Clark House Initiative. Verga, born in Milan in 1989, has collaborated with Manifesta and established liaux.org. Founded in 1985, ar/ge kunst is dedicated to contemporary art through collective efforts, including exhibitions, workshops, and performances.
Key facts
- Zasha Colah and Francesca Verga appointed artistic directors of ar/ge kunst Bolzano from January 2023 for three years.
- They replace Emanuele Guidi, director since 2013.
- Selected from nearly 70 applicants by a jury chaired by Luigi Fassi (Artissima director, former ar/ge kunst head 2008–2013).
- Jury included board members: Karin Welponer, Roberto Gigliotti, Verena Rastner, Eva von Ingram Harpf, Josef Rainer, Ina Tartler.
- Colah teaches at NABA, is a research fellow at 221A Vancouver, co-founded Clark House Initiative Mumbai, PhD from Sapienza Rome.
- Verga was general coordinator of Manifesta 12 Palermo, curatorial coordinator of Manifesta 13 Marseille, deputy director of Archive Milano, PhD from University of Amsterdam, founded liaux.org.
- ar/ge kunst founded in 1985 at Via Museo 29, Bolzano; name means 'working community'.
- New directors prioritize feminist debate, youth policies, intercultural exchange, and public dialogue.
Entities
Artists
- Zasha Colah
- Francesca Verga
- Emanuele Guidi
- Luigi Fassi
- Karin Welponer
- Roberto Gigliotti
- Verena Rastner
- Eva von Ingram Harpf
- Josef Rainer
- Ina Tartler
- Muna Mussie
- Anawana Halobai
- Mike Kelley
Institutions
- ar/ge kunst
- NABA
- 221A
- Clark House Initiative
- Sapienza University of Rome
- University of Amsterdam
- Archive Milano
- Manifesta 12
- Manifesta 13
- Artissima
- liaux.org
- Artribune
Locations
- Bolzano
- Italy
- South Tyrol
- Alps
- Mumbai
- India
- Milan
- Rome
- Palermo
- Marseille
- Vancouver
- Canada
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands