“Conversation Pieces” are eighteenth century informal group portraits, frequently of families in domestic settings or before rural landscapes. As the name suggests, such paintings mean precisely to incite conversation. From one of these works, much can be deducted of the class, affective relations and social context of those depicted. Not only: architecture, fashion and status are put on display, revealing rich contextual details of the given epoch. The possibility of portraying a historical period from the confines of a single setting, fifty years ago inspired iconic director Luchino Visconti to film Gruppo di Famiglia in un Interno. While literally meaning ‘family group in an interior’, the title was translated to Conversation Piece — an homage to noted scholar Mario Praz, who published an art historical monograph about this genre, and on whom the protagonist is loosely based on. The film, entirely set within an apartment in Rome, tells the parabolic story of a group of tenants who unexpectedly forge familial or erotic bonds with each other, all rendered in the patina of 1970s Marxist agitation and sexual liberation.
In its fourth iteration, Italy at Frieze, is an exhibition held within the Italian Ambassador’s residence that showcases the artworks by artists born or living in Italy, represented by galleries participating at the Frieze Art Fair, curated by Sofia Gotti. While the thematic lines present in the pieces on display reflect the broad ranging concerns of artists across decades of Italian contemporary art production, works in this edition seem to share an interest in domestic or the interior. In a similar vein to conversation pieces, multiple works explore the liminal spaces between the public and private, the inside and out, the moral, the erotic and the political. Sensitive to such affinities, the project probes the conversation piece as an exhibition format where informal relations between the works on display can reveal intimate or private histories.
“Once more, the Italian Embassy in the UK opens its doors in the heart of Mayfair to celebrate Frieze” says the Ambassador to the UK, H.E. Inigo Lambertini. “Italy is known around the world as a crucible of art, and Frieze, the most important art fair in the UK and definitely one of the most relevant in the world, is a fitting showcase for Italian talent. Italy at Frieze is the result of the collaboration that this Embassy has developed with Frieze Masters and Frieze London in the past 4 years.”
“Italy at Frieze 2023 is an exhibition of artworks selected by Italian galleries participating in Frieze. The theme of our event this year, “Conversation Piece”, is inspired by Luchino Visconti’s iconic 1974 film Gruppo di Famiglia in un Interno. – continues the Ambassador — The pieces that will be on display reflect the broad-ranging concerns of artists across decades of Italian contemporary art production, and are characterised by an indoor or domestic theme.
“With this exhibition, we aim at showcasing the best of the Italian creative industry. Through the artists selected and the series of collateral events organised, the Embassy celebrates the success the most innovative, diverse and groundbreaking creations of modern and contemporary artists, as a form of expression, but also as a way of doing successful business.”
“At Pasqua we believe passionately in creativity and experimentation and these values straddle both our wine making and contemporary art. Our family-owned winery has a long-standing track record in arts patronage in Italy and internationally – and we are committed to continuing this.” added Riccardo Pasqua, CEO of Pasqua Wines, of of the main sponsors of the initiative. “Art speaks a universal language, pushes boundaries, sparks conversations and also brings joy. Our ongoing dialogue with artists and creators inspires us and – we know through our research – our consumers too. Pasqua’s brand platform – the House of the Unconventional – is in our DNA and will guide us as we move towards our centenary in 2025.
“Meaningful collaborations such as with the Italian Embassy for their Italy at Frieze contemporary art exhibition, “Conversation Piece” – are a great honour. We are delighted to bring together communities and propel connectivity between Italy and the world for this bold showcase and we thank the Ambassador and team for the exciting initiative”.
Francesco Cruciani, UK Managing Director, Campari Group, added: “The Campari brand was born from the creativity and passion of Gaspare Campari and his son, Davide – with this spirit continuing to live on and inspire people today. Since the nineteenth century, Campari has been responsible for some of the most distinctive and innovative imagery created in Italy, which pushed the boundaries of creativity – from Leonetto Cappiello’s famous Spiritello sprite, to the futuristic advertising of Fortunato Depero, as well as working with stars of cinema like Federico Fellini. We’re excited to bring a taste of this world-renowned Campari red passion to Italy at Frieze with our close collaborators at the Italian Embassy, and celebrate this landmark exhibition of Italian creatives.”
Artists and Galleries
Valerio Adami (1935, Bologna) – TornabuoniArt
Pierpaolo Campanini (b. 1964, Cento) – Corvi-Mora
Lisetta Carmi (1924, Genoa – 2022, Cisternino) – Martini&Ronchetti – Archivio Carmi
Pietro Consagra (1920, Mazara del Vallo – 2005, Milan) – Tommaso Calabro
Giorgio Griffa (1936, Turin) – Massimo De Carlo
Pietro Longhi (1701–1785, Venice) – Robilant + Voena
Renato Leotta (1982, Torino) – Sprovieri
Bertina Lopes (1924, Maputo – 2012, Rome) – Richard Saltoun Gallery
Rebecca Moccia (1992, Napoli) – Mazzoleni
Ugo Mulas (1928, Pozzolengo – 1973, Milan) – Lia Rumma
Matteo Nasini (1976, Rome) – Clima
Clemen Parrocchetti (1923 – 2016, Milan) – Chert Lüdde
Cinzia Ruggeri (1942-2019, Milan) – Galleria Federico Vavassori
Marco Tirelli (1956, Rome) – Cardi Gallery
Shafei Xia (1989, ShaoXing) – P420