Bally Foundation welcomes visitors to its latest exhibition exploring Grecian beauty and naturality.
Over the years, Arcadia has come to represent a place of tranquility, boasting beautiful mountains and flourishing fauna – a natural oasis steeped in Grecian history and heritage. Translating this concept into its real-life counterpart, the Bally Foundation has just announced its exciting new exhibition.
Titled Arcadia, the showcase features work from 19 knowledgeable artists alongside a selection of documents and artifacts from the Historical Archives of the City of Lugano and the Parc Scherrer in Morcote.
Arcadia’s starting point takes us to the ever-evolving landscape of the Swiss-Italian region of Ticino. Famous for its welcoming allure and summer sun, Ticino became an attractive destination for artists and celebrities in the 1930s. With figures such as Arturo Scherrer and Peter Smithers enjoying the idyllic scenes, Ticino continued its ascent to new heights.
As Ticino grew in popularity and prestige, so did its luscious green spaces. Embellished with palm trees from Japan, mandarin trees from China, rare wisterias, artificial grottos and ancient sculptures, the gardens intertwined overseas minutiae with Ticino’s traditional flair.
As a result, it comes as no surprise that the Bally Foundation exhibition explores similar juxtapositions. Tapping into how contemporary artists fabricate new architectures and emotional ecosystems, Arcadia dives into boundaries between chimera and reality and nature and artifice.
One of the featured artists is none other than Yto Barrada. Born in Paris to Moroccan parents, Barrada now spends her time hopping between New York and Tangier. Recognised for her ability to investigate cultural and historical narratives, Barrada’s work exudes personality and charm. For example, in her botany-inspired 2013 Monograph A Modest Proposal, the artist combines drawings, texts and photographs in homage to Ed Ruscha.
Meanwhile, artists such as Amélie Bertrand have also created unique pieces for the exhibition. Arcane Tapestry evokes a sense of wonder and liminality. Bertrand initially produces a digital sketch of her compositions, which she then uses to guide her initial oil painting. Drawing upon her wealth of expertise, the artist subsequently interweaves shapes and motifs with airbrushed patterns and cut stencils.
“I like the flowers,” by Julius von Bismarck
Another featured artist, Julius Von Bismarck, delves into similar themes. Challenging the human dichotomy of perception, Von Bismarck reminds viewers of the importance of personal contexts upon viewing a work. His series I like flowers alludes to the famous children’s nursery rhyme “I like flowers, I like daffodils…” and consists of pressed plants and small animals. However, unlike the practice of pressing flowers between book pages, the artist has adapted the vegetation on a much larger scale. Filling the space with two-dimensional organic forms, Von Bismarck ensures that his distinct artistic style remains at the forefront of the piece.
With such an impressive array of artists coming together for Bally Foundation’s latest showcase, it’s evident that visitors are in for a sensory spectacle. Arcadia will run from 29th May 2024 to the 12th of January 2025. For more information, please visit here.
Home page image, “Active Substances Fountain, Série Active Substances,” by Lou Masduraud. Inside header image top left, White Glazed Angel (vb. ceramic.009 version 4) by Vanessa Beecroft, and right image Palma by Mario Schifano. Middle image above, “I like the flowers,” by Julius von Bismarck. All images courtesy of Bally Foundation.
