International contemporary artists encourage Italy. Video messages from Saraceno, Ai Weiwei and Abramović

International contemporary art artists are encouraging and supporting Italy and Palazzo Strozzi: already three have sent their video messages, which can be viewed on Palazzo Strozzi’s In Contatto project website.

The first was Tomás Saraceno, who has the current Aria exhibition at the Florentine museum venue: in his video message, starting with a description of one of the works on display, Particular Matter(s) Jam Session, he invited everyone to think in a new way about concepts such as sharing, awareness and solidarity.

“This work is based on a beam of light that illuminates what is floating in the air. There are millions and millions of particles moving and their movement is affected by how we move. If, for example, I talk very close ... or if I move some particles in my sweater ... you can see many more particles released into the air. If, on the other hand, I speak a little further away, these particles start to move more slowly. What you would hear in Palazzo Strozzi, what you hear now in this video, is the sound that these particles make when they move. Every time I move faster you will hear the sound with higher frequency. It’s this ”beep beep“ -- if we move slower the particles produce a different sound. This is a way of sounding the way we move on the Earth or the movement of the particles in the air. This means that if we have to move slower right now, the sound would be different and the particles would move slower. This means solidarity for all people in Italy, Europe and the world. We hope to become aware of our actions, how the air moves today and how our movement can affect things, and also how we can limit the movement of some of the particles that have become so harmful to many people on planet Earth today. Our movement affects the speed at which particles move through the air. Let’s reduce our movement to slow the movement of particles and help everyone stay safer. In solidarity of Palazzo Strozzi, Italy and the world let’s move differently for a better future.” Tomás Saraceno’s video message is at this link.

Ai Weiwei also sent his personal contribution with a reflection on the Coronavirus emergency, urging everyone to stay home, but to remain united.

“At this difficult time I hope you are well. As we all know, the Coronavirus poses a real challenge in these unusual days. Many people are suffering. And there is no boundary, nationality, social class or religion that can evade this almost ’democratic’ virus. As we know there is no clear solution for something that has happened so unpredictably and almost mysteriously, creating so much uncertainty that is profoundly affecting our lives and has resulted in the deaths of many, many people. This will continue for a while longer. All of this makes us realize that life is fragile and that we can never take a peaceful life for granted. We have to fight, we have to struggle. This requires solidarity, it requires understanding, scientific research, but most of all it requires our perspective on life itself. Life is a struggle and life is full of unexpected things. I think it is crucial at this time to be fully aware of the situation we are experiencing and to take a positive attitude: stay home but stick together. Thank you.” Here is the link to see and listen to Ai Weiwei’s video message.

Marina Abramovic also joined in with her message of solidarity and encouragement for Italy. These are her words, “This is my message for Italy and for Italians, whom I love deeply. We know that this is a time of crisis and that the virus is now everywhere. But at the same time we must learn a lesson from these disasters. Italians are showing great courage, a deep sense of community and humanity. We have to fight together. This is something that will pass, and what will remain will be a really important experience: human consciousness must change, our approach to the world and the planet must change. This is the lesson we must learn. Italy, I love you. My heart is with you.” At this link Marina Abramovic’s video message.

International contemporary artists encourage Italy. Video messages from Saraceno, Ai Weiwei and Abramović

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.