Founded in 1993, Fondazione Prada is a creative extension of the iconic Miuccia Prada, further exploring her passions for art, politics, philosophy, and culture. “I think it is curious how what I learned through fashion has had so much influence on the Fondazione,” Prada explains in a recent interview with System Magazine. “Because fashion is very free—at least in our minds—and I think that one of my challenges now is to demonstrate how my job as a fashion designer can help improve my work in the Fondazione.”
Beginning Feb. 9, 2017, two large-scale exhibitions produced by the Fondazione will be on display in Milan. Running until April 9, 2017 is American artist Michael Wang’s “Extinct in the Wild”, which gathers types of vegetation that can no longer be found in nature, but live on in artificial, human-controlled habitats. A selection of photographs featuring the flora and fauna is paired alongside three glass and aluminum greenhouse-like structures that host the actual plants. Exploring themes of survival and adaptation, “Extinct in the Wild” asks us to look at the ways in which we morph through different cultural time periods.
Then there is “Slight Agitation 2/4: Pamela Rosenkranz”, which shows until May 14, 2017. In the second installation of the four-part, site-specific “Slight Agitation” series, Switzerland’s Pamela Rosenkranz’s “Infection” employs a huge mountain of sand whose triangular peak is hit by an eerie green light. The sand is scented with synthetic cat hormones, which some people will be attracted to, and others will be repulsed by (much in the same way biology dictates that some humans love cilantro while others taste soap). “Infection” references a neuro-active parasite that is said to affect 30 per cent of the earth’s population, thus creating a curious and perhaps even uncomfortable shared experience between onlookers. “Slight Agitation” is curated by the Fondazione Prada Thought Council, made up of Elvira Dyangani Ose, Cédric Libert, Shumon Basar, and Dieter Roelstraete; the previous installment was created by Slovenia’s Tobias Putrih, while the future two will feature the work of Brazil’s Laura Lima and Australia’s Gelitin collective, respectively.
Pushing boundaries is part of Miuccia Prada’s overall and lasting vision. This remains clear in her fashion brand, as well, but asserts itself in the Fondazione, solidifying it as a worthy cultural institution.
More from our Arts section.
