program

Adrian Paci, Compito #12, 2023, tempera on gold leaf on wood, 29×42×2,5 cm (photo by Marino Jerman,  courtesy the artist)

 

Trieste Contemporanea is delighted to present the exhibition Compito from the 9th of December until the 13th of February 2024. This unique sound and environmental installation is specifically tailored for the Studio Tommaseo in Trieste, crafted by the esteemed artist Adrian Paci. The Trieste exhibition project, conceived by Giuliana Carbi Jesurun for the renowned Albanian artist, originated from an invitation extended to Adrian Paci by the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome. This invitation sought his participation in an artistic workshop involving young people from the suburbs and individuals with disabilities. The exhibition derives its name from an encounter the artist had with Maurizio during the workshop. Maurizio, while diligently composing a diary filled with indecipherable symbols, responded to the query “why do you write?” with the poignant words: “I write because this is my job.”
Paci endeavoured to connect with the essence of Maurizio’s diary, fully aware that “understanding” can often be a means of exerting power. Initially, this involved mimicking the diary’s traces through gestures and devoting time to meticulously transcribe its pages into drawings. Subsequently, Paci broadened the scope of his artistic process by entrusting the task of interpretation to “other materials, other hands, [and] other times,” as he himself articulates. This commitment to fostering relationships and dialogue resulted in the creation of the initial mosaics and fabric works showcased at the Trieste exhibition. The display also incorporates gold-backed tablets that reflect the enigmatic symbols found within the diary.

In the accompanying text for the Trieste exhibition, Paci reflects on his perpetual fascination with exploring the disparity between personal experiences and thoughts, thoughts and verbal expressions, and verbal expressions and written language. Paci’s exploration further ventures into conceptualising the pages of the diary as musical scores, contributing to the integral sound component that characterises the exhibition. This musical dimension is brought to life through the collaborative efforts of three composers and musicians: Kolë Laca, Lodi Luka, and Admir Shkurtaj. They adeptly translate the cryptic symbols from the diary into a captivating musical composition. Adrian Paci’s journey during the exhibition initiates a profound exploration of alternative creative avenues. “Undoubtedly, the dilemma of expressing what must be expressed versus what can or cannot be expressed,” muses Adrian Paci, “will continue to linger, alongside the enduring attraction and fondness I hold for those who grapple with this tension and contradiction. Perhaps my affinity with them is more them is more than a mere attraction; they reside within me.”

(Paci’s text is available for visitors in paper version in the exhibition room and online at our website).

Adrian Paci (born in 1969 in Shkoder, Albania) studied painting at the Academy of Art of Tirana. In 1997 he moved to Milan where he lives and works. Throughout his career he held numerous solo shows in various international institutions such as: Museum of arts, Haifa (2022); Kunsthalle, Krems (2019); Galleria Nazionale delle Arti, Tirana (2019); Chiostri di Sant’Eustorgio, Milan (2017) Museo Novecento, Florence ( 2017); MAC, Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal (2014); Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea – PAC, Milan (2014); Jeu de Paume, Paris (2013); Bloomberg Space, London (2010); The Center for Contemporary Art – CCA, Tel Aviv (2009); MoMA PS1, New York (2006) and Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston (2005). Amongst the various group shows, Adrian Paci’s work has also been featured in the 48th and the 51st edition of the International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia (respectively in 1999 and 2005); in the 15th Biennale of Sydney (2006); in the 15th Quadriennale di Roma, where he won the first prize (2008). His works are in numerous public and private collections. Adrian Paci teaches painting at Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti NABA, Milan. He has been teaching art classes at Accademia Carrara di Belle Ari Bergamo, 2002-2006, IUAV, Venice 2003-2015 and EPFL Lausanne 2020-2021.