
On the occasion of the exhibition Kelly Akashi. Converging Figures, Fondazione Furla and GAM – Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Milan present a series of guided tours, workshops and activities for adults, families and schools that explore the themes of the exhibition and the dialogue that the artist's works weave with the masterpieces of the GAM's permanent collection.
Kelly Akashi's works explore time, space and matter, as well as the biological transience and eternity of 'ancient' materials such as bronze, glass and wax. These works bridge the past, present and future, and are placed along the exhibition path of GAM's permanent collection in such an organic manner as to represent 'converging figures': wholly integrated into the space they occupy. The works on display do not merely dialogue with the architecture and the historical collections, but almost seem to be generated by them. CONVERGING FIGURES, the guided tour to the GAM exhibition and collection dedicated to adults, explores the many 'reflections' between the ancient and the contemporary, alongside references to the masterpieces in the collection, for example, those to Hayez's Portrait of Countess Antonietta Negroni Prati Morosini, or Faruffini's famous Lettrice, the details of which are captured and reinterpreted with a keen eye and the incredible technical prowess underpinning Kelly Akashi's practice.
The body in general and the hands in particular constitute a fundamental tool for discovering, learning and communicating. This is the starting point for HANDS ON, the visit with creative workshop dedicated to families with children aged 6 to 11. In this workshop the participants use their hands to identify and interpret the many hands – and not only – to be found in Kelly Akashi's works as well as those in the GAM collection. In the workshop, the hands become the creators and protagonists of a personal interpretation of the artist's works, in which gesture becomes the central element of a composition created with photographic shots and a range of materials.
Reflection is the theme around which Kelly Akashi's entire exhibition revolves. Throughout the GAM spaces, she scatters mirrored surfaces in which not only the architecture and works in the collection may be reflected, but so may we ourselves. Indeed, every work of art constitutes a 'mirror', bringing to the surface experiences, memories and emotions we have lived through or dreams yet to be achieved. In INSIDE THE MIRROR visit and workshop, dedicated to families with children aged 6 to 11 years, the participants, observing the works and the architecture hosting them, look for parts of themselves in the ceilings, floors, decorations, paintings and sculptures. In the workshop, the mirror is used as a starting point to create an original collage, one with which to say who we are, where we are and the experience we are living.
Among the various activities there is no shortage of proposals designed for school groups.
THE TIME MACHINE is a guided tour of the exhibition and the GAM collection dedicated to primary schools, in which students can explore the works on show with all their senses through a tactile kit, and then create tableaux vivants with their own bodies, interpreting the works of both ancient art and that of Akashi, thus making them part of our present.
To the secondary school is dedicated SEIZE THE MOMENT, a guided tour of the exhibition and the GAM collection in which the students are stimulated to actively read the works and the connections between Akashi's works and the historical works of the museum. At each stage, small groups of students take shots with a smartphone of details they consider particularly meaningful in terms of documenting elements they deem important. Finally, each group outlines a short film with the aim of telling others – through their images – about the emotions felt during the visit.... read the rest of the article»
Kelly Akashi's exhibition is the sixth edition of the Furla Series project, and is the upshot of the collaboration between Fondazione Furla and GAM: a partnership begun in 2021 to promote annual exhibition projects providing a unique opportunity for past masters and protagonists of the contemporary scene to come face to face.
Furla Series is the project cycle that since 2017 has seen the Fondazione Furla engaged in the creation of exhibitions in collaboration with major Italian art institutions, with an all-female program designed to valorize and showcase women's fundamental contribution to contemporary culture.
UPCOMING EVENTS
October, 12 (Italian Contemporary Art Day)
3 pm – duration 60' – CONVERGING FIGURES (guided tour for adults)
On the occasion of the Italian Contemporary Art Day, admission to the museum is free for tour participants
Sunday, October 13
10.30 am – duration 90' – HANDS ON (activity for families)
Sunday, October 27
10.30 am – duration 90' – INSIDE THE MIRROR (activity for families)
3 pm – duration 60' – CONVERGING FIGURES (guided tour for adults)
Sunday, November 10
10.30 am – duration 90' – HANDS ON (activity for families)
3 pm – duration 60' – CONVERGING FIGURES (guided tour for adults)
Sunday, November 24
10.30 am – duration 90' – INSIDE THE MIRROR (activity for families)
3 pm – duration 60' – CONVERGING FIGURES (guided tour for adults)
Sunday, December 8
10.30 am – duration 90' – HANDS ON (activity for families)
3 pm – duration 60' – CONVERGING FIGURES (guided tour for adults)
Info and Bookings
Activities for adults and families
Free workshops and guided tours in Italian are held at set times and included in the cost of admission.
Booking is mandatory and can be made by filling in the following form online: admaiora.education
Info: +39 324-5328700 (Mon–Fri, 9 am – 2 pm) | prenotazioni@admaiora.education.
After booking the activity, a GAM admission ticket must be purchased on the same day and at the same time as the chosen activity: museicivicimilano.vivaticket.it.
Activities for schools
Free activities are included in the price of the museum admission, subject to availability. Free tickets for children under 18 and accompanying teachers of school groups (max. four per class).
Prebooking required: Tel. +39 324-5328700 (Mon–Fri, 9 am – 2 pm)
prenotazioni@admaiora.education
Title: Educational Program of the exhibition "Kelly Akashi. Converging Figures"
Opening: October 12, 2024
Ending: December 08, 2024
Organization: Fondazione Furla e GAM
Curator: Bruna Roccasalva
Place: Milano, Galleria d’Arte Moderna
Address: via Palestro 16 - 20121 Milano
More info on this website: https://www.fondazionefurla.org/