The recent exhibition “Inside Other Spaces: Environments by Female Artists, 1956—1976” at Munich’s Haus der Kunst features the pivotal work of 11 women artists from three different generations hailing from Asia, Europe, and North and South America, including renowned names like Judy Chicago and Lygia Clark.
Many of these immersive artworks were taken apart soon after they were first displayed. For the exhibition, Haus der Kunst could recreate them, thanks to a team of researchers and conservators using resources like old photographs, architectural plans, and articles. The show’s journey starts with a 1956 artwork by Tsuruko Yamazaki and ends in 1976, echoing the historic art display in “Ambiente/Arte” curated by Germano Celant at the Venice Biennale.
The term “Environment” in the context of art was first used by the Italian-Argentinian artist Lucio Fontana in 1949 to describe his experimental new artworks that stood out as progressive and unconventional. “Environments” are at the intersection of art, architecture, and design; they create and transform space. Their immersive and playful nature encourages people to step inside, engage with, and interact with them. Even though these “Environments” quickly became an essential part of the global art scene, their history has mainly focused on the United States and, to some extent, Europe.
Before stepping into ‘Inside Other Spaces,’ visitors are invited to shed their shoes and baggage, both literal and metaphorical. A short introductory text, described by Lissoni as a ‘tuning fork,’ sets the tone, preparing visitors for the mood of the exhibition and inviting them to immerse themselves fully in the experience.
This news was created in collaboration with OpenAI’s GPT-4.