Museion presents “Mirror Language”, first retrospective in Europe by the artist Jimmy Robert (Guadeloupe, France 1975, lives and works in Berlin) and his debut show in Italy.
The Museion exhibition offers an overview of 40 works - including works on paper, installations, photography, video, film and artist’s books - from Robert’s last 20 years. The exhibition is displayed in the large space on the fourth floor of Museion and includes a site-specific project developed by Robert.
The works are arranged around large sheets of paper that are hung from the ceiling to create deliberate partitions and separations. These structures are a distinctive feature of the setting and total concept design, which had been developed by the artist for Museion especially.
Inspired by key figures in contemporary art, such as the choreographer Yvonne Rainer and conceptual artist Stanley Brouwn, Robert extends the classical discipline of language to performance. In doing so, he opens up new politicized perspectives on vulnerability, identity and gender.
Using humble materials such as paper and masking tape, Robert’s work focuses on the voices in history that have been muted. His art shows that, despite their suppression, these voices are never silent. In fact, they leave lasting traces that are passed on by small gestures and intimate acts of care, mirroring and embodiment.
Jimmy Robert, Mirror Language
Video: Domenico Palma
After opening at Nottingham Contemporary (UK) (26.10.2020 – 18.04.2021) and being presented at Museion, the exhibition will continue to CRAC Occitanie, Sète (France) in Fall 2021 (09.10.2021 – 06.02.2022). This tour consists of a core group of loans that will travel to each venue. Despite this, each exhibition is independently curated together with the artist.