Contemporary Art > Where in Abruzzo
by Adriana Martino

PESCARA

Encounters, current events and discoveries in the city, famous for its flows, vocation and stories, born in the circuits of international contemporary art. Undoubtedly, Pescara is one of the model cities of the center-south, of that slow South, which struggles not a little in responding to contemporary senses, where territories and public administrations delay, stalling in the production and dissemination of creative art events, despite the proliferation of numerous emerging artists, young and otherwise.

Interview with EMERGE Project_Space

Founded in 2021 in Pescara and edited by Pierluigi Fabrizio, Giorgio Liddo and Maurizio Vicerè, EMERGE is a Project Space with the excellent premises of contemporary art. Lux/Abruzzo followed the activities of Emerge for an entire year in the series of proposals and events from the end of September 2023 to the end of November 2024.

ADRIANA MARTINO:
When did the exhibition activity in EMERGE begin ?

EMERGE:
EMERGE’s first exhibition program began in 2021, although the renovation of exhibition spaces and private studios was carried out during the lock-down period.

AM:
How do you place your space in the family of centers for contemporary art?

GL:
Our project follows the same dynamics as classic project spaces; through programs of short residencies, solo and group exhibitions. Our main interest is to present young and/or established artists with an opening on the European contemporary scene. We are of the idea that “enhancing the territory” does not mean simply promoting a local art but in fact presenting in our territory artists and realities that would hardly be able to attend here, in a city that is only geographically far from the most emblazoned cultural centers. At the same time, given the experience gained over the years in other projects, always developed here in Pescara and strong in knowledge of the international independent scene, we are in constant contact to develop ideas involving other centers and figures in the field.

AM:
What are the specifics and coordinates of the exhibition space characterized by the proposed artist residency in the geographical location of the area?

PF:
As Giorgio Liddo anticipated, EMERGE exists on the outskirts of Pescara, but at the same time, given its proximity to, for example, the city’s airport, it is ideally positioned anywhere in Europe. We are not even that far from the airports in Rome. It sounds like a small matter, but to be clear when thinking about the implementation of a project flights and shipping have a certain impact on the budget we provide for hosted artists. Living the context in which EMERGE is located means being aware of a liminal social position between center and periphery. The very physical structure of our galleries is the result of a hybridization between white cube, 1970s apartment and Berlin-flavored studios, and it is no coincidence that those who visit us feel these vibrations.

AM:
What is your audience?

MV:
We have never thought of a specific target audience since we believe in open usability. At the same time, through the hosted artists who are the main creators of the exhibition projects, we hope to ignite critical debates and visual clashes. We are not interested in pleasing and putting the audience at ease through what we call exhibitions-brodino.

AM:
What is the role of the resident artist at the Emerge space?

PF:
Protagonist. Instead, our task is satellite. From the first moments of contact with the artist we try to build the project with him by following him and supporting his choices. We have a small interior apartment that is functional for the residency as well as plenty of square meters available for working. In addition to space and support, the time factor is also crucial to the success of a project, which is why the invitation is for short residencies. We prefer that artists bring forward a “raw” undomesticated idea to be developed in a short time and economy of means. For example, artists Aires De Gameiro and Sebastiano Sofia preferred to focus on an overall vision, an exhibition unicum thus having the opportunity to exhibit work rather far from commercial logics. David Hanes, the first artist-in-residence, preferred to produce a series of works on cardboard and small oil pastel papers. In the last exhibition, currently in progress, artists Lu Sijia and Wang Jundi in contrast preferred to exhibit work already produced in 2023 and worked on a series of drawings that were not exhibited but will be needed by them to give rise to future projects elsewhere.

AM:
What do you expect from local and regional institutions?

MV:
Everything and nothing. Our project exists and we hope it will continue to endure regardless of external support. Obviously knowing that there is interest from institutions and private entities can only please us but our activity wants to keep as free as possible and not risk being pressured. When we want to carry out a project we know that it will cost us X amount and nothing more. In this way planning is more fluid and above all sustainable. We are a new entity but behind which there is a lot of experience and it is important to know that sustainability is the key to allow any activity to last. We are not asking for anything but if there should be interest in spontaneous support all the better.

AM:
What are your innovations in the last year of work, what is the timing of the proposals, and how do you select artists-in-residence?

GL:
The short history of our project is rather peculiar. After a 2021 in which we tried to challenge the limits of what can actually be put on display with the three-chapter programming “Outrageous Ways of Thinking” we felt the need to return to a more classical approach through these residencies and exhibitions. The encounters can be more or less in-depth and the acquaintances last even a few months, in which we choose a certain exhibition idea and try to deepen it through a constant exchange with the artist. We generally set a schedule of three or four appointments each year. We have already planned for 2024 and are working for 2025 and 2026 while keeping our focus mainly on young artists who think globally and topically. Currently the duo-show by artists Lu Sijia and Wang Jundi entitled “THESE, THESE, THAT, THOSE” is underway with nearly twenty works on display. It is running until April 28, so we take this opportunity to extend an invitation to everyone.

Contact:
EMERGE Space Project
Via Tiburtina, 75. Pescara
emergeprojectspace.com