Exhibition program

Lecture by Damian Lentini:
Fragmented Constellations: Melvin Edwards’ sculptures and the exhibitions of Okwui Enwezor

Thursday, Nov 7, 2024, 7 pm – 8.30 pm

The lecture examines the work of Melvin Edwards within the context of the major biennials and exhibition projects that Okwui Enwezor developed during past decade. By contemplating the 56. Venice Biennale (2015) as well as the exhibitions Postwar – Art Between the Pacific and Atlantic 1945–1965 at Haus der Kunst in Munich (2016) and Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America at New Museum in New York (2021), it demonstrates how Edwards’ sculptures constituted a key component within Enwezor’s thinking about the postcolonial condition and its position within contemporary art and theory.

Dr. Damian Lentini is a curator at the Vienna Secession and whose research and work unpacks the imbricated histories of modern and contemporary art from the postwar period up until our present moment. He obtained his doctoral degree in 2009 at the University of Melbourne and has taught extensively on contemporary art, curation, and museum studies. Prior to moving to Vienna, Lentini was a curator at Haus der Kunst München (2015-2023), where he had the great privilege to work together with Okwui Enwezor, Ulrich Wilmes and Katy Siegel on the landmark exhibition project ‘Postwar: Art between the Pacific and the Atlantic, 1945–1965’ (2016). Subsequent to ‘Postwar’, Lentini has realized major projects with artists such as El Anatsui, Phyllida Barlow, Kapwani Kiwanga, Sarah Sze, Sung Tieu, Raqs Media Collective, Harun Farocki, Dumb Type, Khvay Samnang, Lina Lapelytė and the Karrabing Film Collective amongst others.

Language: German. Admission is free. No registration required.