peter fischli and david weiss - 'flowers and questions' retrospective exhibiton by swiss artists........................................................................................................................


fischli & weiss: flowers and questions

january 30, 2008 - march 16, 2008
palazzo litta, milan, italy
organized by fondazione nicola trussardi
http://www.fondazionenicolatrussardi.com


the first retrospective in italy of swiss artists
peter fischli & david weiss was presented by the
fondazione nicola trussardi at palazzo litta in milan.
the show was installed throughout the rooms of the
restored seventeenth century mansion. based on the
traveling retrospective organized in collaboration with
the tate modern and kunsthaus zurich,
'flowers and questions' was specially reconfigured by
the artists for the unique setting. the show featured new
and rarely seen works, as well as seminal pieces of
the pair's work. the installation has been intricately
staged with over 40 pieces of work placed throughout
palazzo litta, each confronting the viewer in a surreal
manner. overall, the exhibition had a mysterious
atmosphere that evoked both laughter and intrigue.
the exhibition clearly connected fischli and weiss'
contemporary brand of art with new audiences,
one of fondazione nicola trussardi's key missions.

peter fischli & david weiss live and work in zurich,
switzerland where they have been making art together
since 1979. after almost 30 years of making art,
the two have established themselves as leaders in the
contemporary art scene. their work is whimsical and
amusing, transforming the everyday through their
warped lens on reality. this altered perspective has
been referred to as a 'childlike naivité', encouraging
viewers to alter their own perspective, looking at the
world through a fresh lens. the inanimate everyday
objects in their work take on a life of their own,
coming to life through modified contexts and the laws
of physics. this contrast allows their work to blur the
line between the normal and the exceptional. this theme
was also present in the show's staging.

the installation of 'flowers and questions' in palazzo litta
worked to enhance the themes of fischli and weiss' work.
the baroque setting helped provide a context not typically
seen in the display of contemporary art. the pieces all
took on a different quality through their contrast to the
richly textured environment. without the white walls of
a typical gallery, the art was stripped of its established
role, taking on an unexpected and out of place feeling.
this sense of unease added mystery to the show,
further enhancing the surreal qualities in the work.


---

room1
upon entering the show you are confronted with work
from the 'airports' series hung in a room filled with pieces
of furniture, giving the feeling of a hotel lobby.
'hostess' a small statue of a figure accompanies the
photography.

room 3
further into the palazzo, the slide show 'flowers' plays
in a darkened room. 162 slides slowly merge,
one overlapping another to create unique images that
turn ordinary flowers into abstract colour fields.
the hypnotic piece points to fischli and weiss' interest
with transforming the ordinary into something special.






still image from 'flower projection', 1997-98
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi



peter fischli and david weiss
© designboom


peter fischli and david weiss with bice kuriker (kunsthaus zürich)
© designboom



overview of palazzo litta in milan
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi



room 1
left: 'aeroports', 1987 - photo series in progress
right: 'hostess', 1988 - gesso sculpture
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi



room 3
'flower projection', 1997-98 - 162 overlapping slides
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi



'flower projection', 1997-98 - 162 overlapping slides



still image from 'flower projection', 1997-98
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi



still image from 'flower projection', 1997-98
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi



still image from 'flower projection', 1997-98
courtesy of fondazione nicola trussardi

see more of the exhibition:

page 1 page 2 page 3 page 4 page 5











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