The world of art exhibitions is a complex and fascinating ecosystem in which the creativity of artists and the sensitivity of the public converge. In this area, the art commissioner or curator plays a fundamental role in interpreting the artistic, cultural and social environment of the exhibition.
The Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation (FSRR) is a world reference in contemporary art. Based in Turin (Italy), it exhibits works by recognized and emerging artists, while fostering young talent by training curators. In Spain, the foundation is based in Madrid and carries out the “Residence for Young Commissioners” project. This initiative offers three international curators the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant Spanish art scene for several months.
“Residence for Young Commissioners” is part of the Culture with Impact campaign, promoted by Reale Seguros through the Reale Foundation. Its objective is to highlight and promote projects that use the transformative power of culture in society, focusing on three areas: health, social inclusion and employment generation.
“Residence for Young Commissioners” is part of the Culture with Impact campaign, promoted by Reale Seguros through the Reale Foundation
In the words of the director of Reale Foundation in Spain, Pilar Suárez-Inclán, “we decided to bet from the beginning on the young curators program of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation because we knew of the dedication and high quality of the initiatives they had previously developed. both in Spain and in Italy. Being able to be part of a project like this, with which we share the objectives of training, employment and support for culture, fit perfectly with the lines of work of the Reale Foundation.”
Focus on contemporary art
The Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo is a non-profit contemporary art institution founded in 1995 by Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, a prominent European patron and member of the boards of important art galleries such as the MoMA in New York (USA) and the Tate Gallery of London (Great Britain).
In 2006, the foundation launched the “Young Curators Residency Programme”, which has become an invaluable platform for talented young curators. It is the international curatorial schools of Europe and the USA that nominate their candidates. In addition, through the Rockbund Museum in Shanghai, applicants are located in Asia, and with the mediation of Independent Curators International, young curators in Africa. Among all those chosen, three curators are selected for the residency.
Commitment to artists living in Spain
In 2020, the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Madrid Foundation (FSRRM) brought this program to Spain, renaming it “Residence for Young Commissioners”. The objective is to contribute to the professionalization of young curators, introducing them to the Spanish artistic scene and guiding them in the production of a final exhibition. In addition, it seeks to improve the internationalization of Spanish artists or artists residing in Spain through the creation of new professional networks.
Since the beginning, Reale Foundation has collaborated with these residencies, reaffirming its commitment to young, diverse and intercultural talent. “The Foundation team is always aware of the development of the residency and supports us in all the cities we visit, in addition to achieving visibility for it that goes beyond the field of contemporary art,” explains Emma Brassó, member of the comunicanarte association. , in charge of coordinating the FSRRM residency program.
“Our balance, after having been able to accompany them throughout these five editions, if we take into account this year’s, is extremely positive. The young people who participate year after year as curators have talent and a promising future, as do the artists they host in their final exhibition,” Suárez-Inclán emphasizes.
Opportunity for new talents
This year, the participants in the Spanish residency were Kaushal Sapre (India), Nikki Nita Ramírez (USA) and Phokeng Setai (South Africa). Brassó describes the program as “very intense”, since in 90 days “they must get to know each other, adapt to a new country and travel to visit artists, independent spaces and institutions, in addition to reaching agreements for their final project.”
The speakingenarte representative highlights that one of the most enriching experiences during the residency “is being able to get closer to the artists in their studios and learn first-hand about their creative processes.” Suárez-Inclán also highlights this aspect, “thanks to this mutual knowledge (foreign curators and artists living in Spain) manage to unite synergies for international opportunities for artists living in Spain, showing their art in exhibitions outside of Spain,” she emphasizes.
The FSRRM initiative culminates with an exhibition curated by themselves, in which they present the results of their research carried out with the Foundation team. This year, the exhibition is titled “La Sagrada Familia is under construction” and is exhibited at the Ateneo de Madrid. Inspired by the idea of the unfinished and the importance of the process over the result, it includes works by 9 artists and groups residing in Spain, but originating in different places, such as Peru, Dominican Republic, Morocco, Mexico, Ivory Coast and Argentina .
The FSRRM initiative culminates with an exhibition curated by themselves, in which they present the results of their research carried out with the Foundation team.
Culture with Impact
The video-podcast Cultura con Impacto, broadcast on Pódium and produced by Reale Seguros, tries to bring closer and publicize the work of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Madrid Foundation. Presented by cultural journalist Pepa Blanes, the program is a talk between Emma Brassó, Nikki Nita Ramírez, art curator and participant in this year’s FSRRM residency, and Coco Dávez, artist.
“It has been very interesting to be able to listen to the visions of Emma, Nikki and Coco, each one from their context and with their experiences behind them, they show us the current state of art both in our country and also beyond it,” says Suárez-Inclán. .” Understanding how among all of them, despite their very different trajectories and their different roles within art, they find common points and parallel stories, is without a doubt the jewel of this chapter that reveals art to us, in addition to as an emotional expression, as a way of life,” emphasizes the director of Reale Foundation.
Brassó confesses that Spanish contemporary art “does not travel well.” For this reason, he points out, “it is appreciated that the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Foundation makes this program to familiarize (with Spanish art) curators who tomorrow will be in different institutions around the world.” For Dávez, “living off of art is very difficult, it is fortunate. In Spain there is a lack of education about art and culture. “Museums must adapt to people.” Fortunately, he assures that in recent years this is changing.
Bringing art closer to the people is essential, says Brassó, “the audiences are diverse and their interpretations are different.” Ramírez invites everyone to visit the exhibition at the Ateneo de Madrid and reflects on his experience: “the residence makes you think about what the center is. The question that the three of us have answered is who is going to see the exhibition, how is it going to be received,” he concludes.
