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 VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule Venice
When We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceWhen We Become Us², 2024, exhibition view, Capsule VeniceAdrian 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, BrusselsAnthony 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 VeniceAnthony 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 VeniceAlessandro 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 VeniceAlessandro 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 VeniceAlessandro 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 VeniceAlessandro 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 VeniceAlice 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 inAlice Wang, Pyramids and Parabolas I, 2019, 16 mm scanned to HD video, 16 mm, 7′, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule VeniceAlice 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 VeniceChris 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 VeniceChris 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 VeniceCurtis 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 VeniceCurtis 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 VeniceCai 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 VeniceCai 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 VeniceCai 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 VeniceDaniel 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 VeniceDaniel 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 VeniceDouglas 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 VeniceElizabeth 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 VeniceFeng 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 VeniceGao 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 VeniceGao 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 VeniceGao 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 VeniceGao 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 VeniceGao 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 VeniceGao 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 VeniceHuang 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 VeniceHuang 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 VeniceIvy 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 VeniceKong 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 VeniceKong 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 VenicePixy 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 VenicePixy 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 VeniceLeelee 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 VeniceLiao 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 VeniceMaya 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 VeniceMevlana 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 VeniceRudy 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 VeniceRudy Cremonini, The Reservation, 2023, oil on linen, 140 x 160 cm, 55 x 63 in, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule VeniceRyosuke 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 VeniceRyosuke 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 VeniceSarah 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 VeniceTian 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 VeniceTian 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 VeniceTao 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 VeniceWang 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 VeniceYao Cong, Count, 2020, video 4K, 7’50”, Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Capsule VeniceYan 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
