When We Become Us² at Capsule Venice

Artists: Cai Zebin, Leelee Chan, Daniel Chen, Rudy Cremonini, Sarah Faux, Feng Chen, Gao Yuan, Adrian Geller, Ivy Haldeman, Huang Hai-Hsin, Anthony Iacono, Elizabeth Jaeger, Kong Lingnan, Maya Kramer, Ryosuke Kumakura, Pixy Liao, Liao Wen, Mevlana Lipp, Chris Oh, Douglas Rieger, Curtis Talwst Santiago, Tao Siqi, Alessandro Teoldi, Tian Jianxin, Alice Wang, Wang Haiyang, Yan Xinyue, Yao Cong, Miranda Fengyuan Zhang

Exhibition title: When We Become Us²

Venue: Capsule Venice, Venice, Italy

Date: February 24 – March 23, 2024

Photography: all images are copyrighted. Courtesy of the artist and Capsule Venice

Capsule Shanghai is delighted to announce the opening of When We Become Us² the inaugural exhibition of Capsule Venice, the gallery’s newest venture, and an extension of Capsule’s long-lasting and ongoing commitment in China. Capsule Venice will present four exhibitions, accompanied by a programme of events, site-specific projects, and cultural activities curated by independent curator Manuela Lietti engaging the versatile indoor and outdoor spaces of the venue throughout 2024.

For its inaugural show hosted on the premises of Fondazione Marchesani in Dorsoduro, the Italian headquarters of the gallery, Capsule has chosen to present an expanded version of When We Become Us — the exhibition that marked Capsule’s opening in 2016 in Shanghai. On this occasion, the show is renamed When We Become Us².

This group exhibition occupies different semantic layers. On one hand it offers a glimpse of the poetics defining the work of the twenty-nine participating artists, providing an overview of the gallery’s programme (as well as some new collaborations), an overview of unexplored synergies among artists who have never exhibited all together before. On the other hand the exhibition is a heartfelt expression of the methodology embraced by the gallery during its seven-year journey. When We Become Us² is a reflection on what it means to run a space which, while functioning as a commercial organism, constantly engages in a process of mutual nurturing, growth, and continuous dialogue with the artists who bring the gallery to life. It is the ideal manifesto for Capsule Venice which seeks to become a hub blending a deep knowledge of the ecology of contemporary art with a humanistic, “artisanal” touch.

When We Become Us² is literally a call to action: it incorporates a relational dynamism, and discloses a meticulous design, activating a wide range of interfaces in an effort to visualise what happens when a “we” coheres and becomes self-aware. An encompassing notion of “we” allows for the full embrace and unfolding of individualities, while simultaneously remaining aware of our potential as part of a whole; the “us” we all contribute to creating.

It is Capsule’s first step towards building an enduring bond with the city of Venice, acting as a catalyst, to provide a site of experience in which artists, audiences, art professionals, collectors, and the community at large become “us”.

-Text by Manuela Lietti

When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice

When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
Adrian Geller, The Runner II, 2023, oil on canvas, 50 x 60 cm
19 1/2 x 23 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Super Dakota, Brussels
Anthony Iacono, Shoe Study for Late Show (Gloss), 2020-2021
acrylic on cut and collaged paper, 63.5 x 35.5 cm, 25 x 14 in, Copyright the Artist. Photo Courtesy the artist, Marinaro, New York and Capsule Venice
Anthony Iacono, Back Pose (study), 2021, acrylic on cut and collaged paper, 26.7 x 14 cm; 10 1/2 x 5 1/2 in, 33.8 x 21.4 x 4 cm; 13 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Photo Courtesy the artist, Marinaro, New York and Capsule Venice
Alessandro Teoldi, Untitled (on your shoulder), 2021
cast concrete, 35.6 x 27.9 cm, 14 x 11 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Alessandro Teoldi, Untitled (Santa Barbara Airlines and Northwest), 2022, airlines blankets, cotton, wool and synthetic fabric, 182.9 x 152.4 cm, 72 x 60 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Alessandro Teoldi, Hug, 2022, terracotta, 34 x 23 x 22 cm, 13 1/2 x 9 x 8 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Alessandro Teoldi, Falling, 2023, airlines blanket and mixed fabrics, 30.5 x 40.6 cm, 12 x 16 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Alice Wang, Untitled, 2013, c-print, permanent installation of a bonsai tree transplanted in the courtyard garden of Galerie Torstraße, Berlin, dimensions variable and expanding, 25.4 x 20.3 cm, 10 x 8 in
Alice Wang, Pyramids and Parabolas I, 2019, 16 mm scanned to HD video, 16 mm, 7′, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Alice Wang, Pyramids and Parabolas II, 2021, HD video and 16mm transferred to HD video HD, 18’45”, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Chris Oh, Glimpse, 2023, acrylic enamel on antique mirrored brass candle holder with beeswax candles, 29.21 x 20.32 x 13.97 cm, 11 1/2 x 8 x 5 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist, Fortnight Institute (NY) and Capsule Venice
Chris Oh, Radiate, 2023, acrylic on seashell, 22.9 x 20.32 x 2.54 cm, 9 x 8 x 1 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist, Fortnight Institute (NY) and Capsule Venice
Curtis Talwst Santiago, Smash and demolish every untrue record in my subconscious mind, 2021, oil on canvas, 70 x 50 cm, 27 1/2 x 19 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Curtis Talwst Santiago, Let We Play a Mas! J’Ouvert Grande Fete, 2023, mixed media diorama in reclaimed jewelry box: paper, clay, plastic, watercolour pencil acrylic paint, oil paint, wood Veneer, porcelain, 10 x 10 x 11.5 cm, 4 x 4 x 4 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Cai Zebin, An Amateurish Act about Reality, 2022, mixed media on canvas panel, 40 x 30 cm, 16 x 12 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Cai Zebin, The Story of the Flood, 2023, mixed media on canvas panel, 40 x 30 cm, 16 x 12 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Cai Zebin, A Desperate Act, 2022, mix media on canvas panel, 50 x 40 cm, 19 1/2 x 16 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Daniel Chen, Red and Blue Flower, 2022, oil on canvas, 60 x 50 cm, 23 1/2 x 19 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Daniel Chen, Blue and Yellow Flower, 2022, oil on canvas, 60 x 50 cm, 23 1/2 x 19 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Douglas Rieger, Bound, 2022, wood, steel, paint, silicone, upholstery foam, vinyl, 81.3 x 61 x 23 cm, 32 x 24 x 9 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Elizabeth Jaeger, Two Flowers and a Staircase, 2018, ceramic, 30.48 x 17.78 x 10.16 cm, 12 x 7 x 4 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Feng Chen, M, 2022, aluminium, acrylic mirror, controller, steering gear, batteries, fence, Mirror: 80 x 60 cm; 31 1/2 x 23 1/2 in, Installation dimension variable, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Gao Yuan, Where the Clouds Pass By, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 45 x 80 cm, 17 1/2 x 31 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Gao Yuan, Flyers Planet’s Shared Office, 2022, acrylic on paper, 24 x 42 cm; 27 x 44.5 cm (framed), 9 1/2 x 16 1/2 in; 10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Gao Yuan, Flyers Planet’s Buildings, 2022, acrylic on paper, 24 x 42 cm; 27 x 44.5 cm (framed), 9 1/2 x 16 1/2 in; 10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Gao Yuan, A City of Flyers, 2023, acrylic on paper, 24 x 42 cm; 27 x 44.5 cm (framed), 9 1/2 x 16 1/2 in; 10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Gao Yuan, Flyers Planet’s Library 2, 2023, acrylic on paper, 24 x 42 cm; 27 x 44.5 cm (framed), 9 1/2 x 16 1/2 in; 10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Gao Yuan, Plants in Yun’s Room, 2023, acrylic on paper, 24 x 42 cm; 27 x 44.5 cm (framed), 9 1/2 x 16 1/2 in; 10 1/2 x 17 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Huang Hai-Hsin, Gondola, 2023, ink on paper, 22.9 x 30.5 cm; 32 x 39.5 cm (framed), 9 x 12 in; 12 1/2 x 15 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Huang Hai-Hsin, Roma, 2023, graphite and colored pencil on paper, 84 x 60 cm; 91 x 69 cm (framed), 33 x 23 1/2 in; 36 x 27 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Ivy Haldeman, Heels, Toe to Achilles, Peel Wraps, 2022, acrylic on canvas, 61 x 41.9 cm, 24 x 16 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Kong Lingnan, Patmos, 2021, oil on wood, 30 x 39 cm, 12 x 15 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Kong Lingnan, Evil, 2022, oil on wood, 37.5 x 49 cm, 15 x 19 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Pixy Liao, Shoulder (I Sandwich Your Shoulder Like a Piece of Butter), 2021, c-print, 100 x 75 cm, 39 1/2 x 29 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Pixy Liao, Handy Panty, 2022, c-print, 100 x 75 cm, 39 1/2 x 29 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Leelee Chan, Oculus (Budding Amethyst), 2022, found plastic pallet, chevron amethyst, stainless steel mirror and hardware, steel, epoxy, urethane resin, UV-resistant pigment, 72 x 72 x 17 cm, 28 1/2 x 28 1/2 x 6 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Liao Wen, Call of Nature, 2023, hand-colored limewood, epoxy resin, stainless steel, coil spring, 60 x 34 x 22 cm, 23 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 8 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Maya Kramer, Future Fossil, 2021, acrylic polyurethane enamel on aluminum, 60 x 40 x 23.5 cm, 23 1/2 x 16 x 9 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Mevlana Lipp, Reflection, 2024, wood, ink, acrylic, aluminum stretcher, aluminum dibond, sand, 80 x 60 cm, 31 1/2 x 23 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Rudy Cremonini, Hawaii, 2023, oil on linen, 50 x 45 cm, 19 1/2 x 17 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Rudy Cremonini, The Reservation, 2023, oil on linen, 140 x 160 cm, 55 x 63 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Ryosuke Kumakura, Towel, 2022, oil on canvas, wood stain on stretcher, 30.4 x 30.4 x 2.5 cm, 12 x 12 x 1 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist, Patron Gallery and Capsule Venice
Ryosuke Kumakura, Towel, 2023, oil on canvas, wood stain on stretcher, 45.8 x 28 x 2.5 cm, 18 x 11 x 1 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist, Patron Gallery and Capsule Venice
Sarah Faux, Another Birth, 2022, oil on canvas, 50.8 x 55.9 cm
20 x 22 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Tian Jianxin, Stick, 2023, copper ladle, 53 x 10 x 13 cm, 21 x 4 x 5 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Tian Jianxin, Brush Cut, 2023, aluminium ladle, 14 x 12 x 21 cm, 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Tao Siqi, Tipping, 2024, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 cm, 9 1/2 x 12 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Wang Haiyang, Human Beast Ghost, 2023, watercolour on paper, 35 x 25.5 cm; 14 x 10 in, 41.2 x 31.2 cm; 16 x 12 1/2 in (framed), Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Yao Cong, Count, 2020, video 4K, 7’50”, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice
Yan Xinyue, Stop me if you can #4, 2023, oil on linen, 112.5 x 60 cm, 44 1/2 x 23 1/2 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule Venice