DAMA 2017 – Interview with Giorgio Galotti

At this time of the year all eyes are on Turin – there is Artissima, all the galleries are opening new shows, and there is the renewed presence of DAMA. In its first edition, in 2016, DAMA established a new proposal, showing the works of emerging artists and galleries in a peculiar space – Palazzo Saluzzo Paesana, an 18th century noble building in the center of Turin. The space, with its high ceilings, fresco paintings, and intricate woodwork allows either the possibility of a contrasting dialogue with contemporary artworks or a timeless integration. DAMA 2017 edition is curated by Domenico de Chirico and showcases 12 galleries, 2 nonprofit projects (Meyohas and Pina) and a live program organized by João Laia. The venue can be visited from the 2nd to the 5th of November.

Participants: Arcade, London / John Wallbank; Berthold Pott, Cologne / Colin Penno; BWSMX, Mexico City / Morgan Mandalay & Kim-Anh Schreiber; Giorgio Galotti, Turin / Adam Cruces; Hawaii-Lisbon, Lisbon / Daniel Van Straalen; Leto, Warsaw / Honza Zamojski; Lily Robert, Paris / Jonas Wijtenburg (winner of Guest Award); Tobias Nahering, Leipzig / Sebastian Burger; Neochrome,Turin / Alexandra Noel; Neumeister Bar-Am, Berlin / Sinae Yoo; Svit, Prague / Jimena Mendoza & Ajit Chauhan; Weiss Berlin, Berlin / Elif Erkan

 

We had the opportunity to interview Giorgio Galotti, the founder and director of DAMA, who offered us some insight on this year’s developments and on the future of the event:

 

A.R.M.: What are the main differences between last year’s edition and this new edition of DAMA and, apart from the amazing venue, what other surprises should the visitor expect?

Giorgio Galotti: We built this edition on what was missing or not so satisfying from the previous edition, so we have extended the space dedicated to Live Programme to a new area of the Palace, thanks also to the Institution of Compagnia di San Paolo supporting it. Furthermore, we have inserted a new section dedicated to independent researches and no-profits, so this year we have invited two independent spaces selected after a brief request to present a project. Meyohas from New York and Pina from Vienna will join DAMA for the first time.
Finally we have inserted a first award by Museo Ettore Fico, who has selected one gallery among all the participants, to support them covering the entire participation fee.
Then, as you know, we have the pleasure to have a prize from ARM too, and it is absolutely interesting for the galleries who will have the possibility to join Art Research Map.
But let me tell that the real crown jewel are the galleries and artists participating this year, I like all of their proposals.

 

A.R.M.: Domenico de Chirico is the appointed curator of DAMA. Was there a guideline or a specific idea for this edition?

GG: Our guidelines are always the work that the galleries bring on all over the year. That is the best guideline a project like this could have. So we have invited some galleries interested in DAMA but with the same mind as us, balanced on few items: to share, to help, to grew up all together.

 

A.R.M.: Which are the highlights of DAMA 2017 Live Programme organized by João Laia?

GG: The entire program seems to be a highlight in my opinion, because João has invited the right number of recognized artists like Laure Prouvost or Guan Xiao and new discoveries like Sasha Litvintseva or Diogo Evangelista. The program will work as a unique installation changing its skin everyday. What I can suggest is to not miss the two live performances by Sam Smith on Wednesday evening at 7pm and the one by Anna Franceschini on Saturday at 12pm and 7pm, both of them produced and adapted for DAMA.

 

A.R.M.: Regarding the of evolution of DAMA, what do you aim for the next editions and is there a will to expand DAMA to other historical locations across the globe?

GG: Oh wow, it could be a dream! But what I think is that the next steps are to improve the position of DAMA and invite some other good galleries to join us, because this is the right way for galleries like mine to survive and to try to create something for us and for our artists.

 

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Additionally, this year A.R.M. has partnered with DAMA and will be offering the ‘A.R.M. DAMA Prize’ to one of the participating artists, who will be interviewed and featured on our website and social media.

The prize will be announced on the 3rd of November.

Stay Tuned!