'Art or Sound' is the Prada Foundation's new synaesthetic Venice show
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In the midst of Venice's fast-paced Architectural Biennial, 'Art or Sound', the Prada Foundation's current show (opens in new tab), feels like something of an intellectual's amusement park: poker-faced journalists find themselves stepping into pieces, pressing on buttons, playing rather than observing.
This is precisely the kind of boundary-shattering the exhibition's curator Germano Celant (opens in new tab) (who famously coined the term 'Arte Povera', or poor art), was looking for. After all, in today's highly controlled art world, where does one draw a line between work and play, art and commodity, the intellectual and the emotional?
Sprawling over the Foundation's majestic three storeys, this 'theatre of things', as Celant put it, is laid out as a jolly multi-media, interactive display of artworks, functional objects, and imaginary instruments. They range from 17th century musical boxes to early 20th century experimental trumpets by craftsmen of the time; see Man Ray's 'Violon d'Ingres' (1924) to John Cage's 'Water Walk' (1959), as well as contemporary work such as Loris Gréaud 'Crossfading Suitcase' (2004) - allowing, again, for a disruption between high and low.
To Celant, the sense of hierarchy is also present in the relationship between art and sound: 'The museum has become a vision-centric territory where all non-visual senses are repressed,' he said of the show.
The works chosen are missing a dimension if you don't listen: Laurie Anderson's 'Numbers Runners' (1979) for example, recreating a typical American phonebox, only becomes an entirely fuller proposition when the viewer picks up the receiver to hear the artists existential questions.
'I wanted to reinject life into the clinical, aseptic visual art space,' explained Celant about his choice to hold a series of performances by younger, often local artists such as Ricardo Berreta. 'In order to generate creative birth, art should be a labyrinth of senses.'
Sprawling over the Foundation's majestic three storeys, this 'theatre of things', as curator Germano Celant put it, is laid out as a jolly multi-media, interactive display of artworks, functional objects, and imaginary instruments. Pictured: 'Oracle' by Robert Rauschenberg, 1962-65.
The sensory exhibit encourages visitors to press on buttons and play rather than simply observe. This percussion work is titled 'Echi di suoni e cani che abbaiano' by Eliseo Mattiacci, 1983.
From left to right: 'Metronome' by Salvador Dali, 1944, 'Indestructible Object' by Man Ray, 1923 (1965), and 'Silent Metronome' by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, 2005.
'Pyrophone' by Georges Frédéric Kastner, circa 1876.
In the foreground: 'Chiming Clock with Iron Case' by Jean Dubois au Puy, circa early 17th century, 'Untitled' sculpture by Alexander Calder, 1940 and 'Composition in Gray' by Theo van Doesburg, 1919.
'I wanted to reinject life into the clinical, aseptic visual art space,' explained Celant about his choice to hold a series of performances by younger, often local artists. 'In order to generate creative birth, art should be a labyrinth of senses,' he added.
From the left: 'Singing Bird Cage With Clock' by Pierre Jaquet-Droz. circa 1785 and 'Orchestrion Accordeo Jazz' by Amelotti, circa 1920.
The façade of the Prada Foundation in Venice
ADDRESS
Prada Foundation (opens in new tab)
Ca' Corner Della Regina
Venice
VIEW GOOGLE MAPS (opens in new tab)
-
Discover the secret of hydrated hair with the founder of haircare brand Dizziak
Loretta De Feo, founder of cult (and Dua Lipa-backed) haircare brand Dizziak, shares her beauty tips and goals for changing the industry
By Mary Cleary • Published
-
The Bolder lodges by Snøhetta embrace a Norwegian cliff-edge view
The Bolder project comprises four elevated cabins, enveloped in a Norwegian fjord view, designed by Snøhetta in collaboration with Tom Bjarte Norland and Vipp
By Martha Elliott • Published
-
Definitive 1990s designer Martine Sitbon to return to Paris Fashion Week
Former Chloé creative director Martine Sitbon has announced she will return to Paris Fashion Week in March 2023 with a project titled Rev, which draws on her archival designs
By Jack Moss • Published
-
Venice Architecture Biennale 2023: who, when, and what to look forward to
As we start gearing up for the Venice Architecture Biennale 2023, we explore what's in store for visitors at the world's famous celebration of building design
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
The Fendi factory in Tuscany disappears into the landscape
The new Fendi Factory in Italy, set in the rolling hills of Tuscany, is the brainchild of Milan architecture studio Piuarch and the luxury brand
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Step inside the dramatic Cava Arcari by David Chipperfield
Cava Arcari by David Chipperfield reimagines a series of caves outside Vicenza as a multifunctional event space
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Rinascente is reborn in Rome’s Piazza Fiume courtesy of design studio 2050+
Rinascente in Piazza Fiume, Rome gets a makeover by Milan-based interdisciplinary design agency 2050+
By David Plaisant • Published
-
This Sicilian villa brings contemporary architecture to the foot of Mount Etna
L House is a modern Sicilian villa in perfect sync with its surroundings, designed by London-based architecture practice Transit Studio
By Ellie Stathaki • Published
-
Take the ultimate Carlo Scarpa tour of Venice
A Carlo Scarpa tour to end all tours; join our survey of modernist buildings by the Italian midcentury master in and around Venice
By Natasha Levy • Last updated
-
Etruscan Galleries at Fondazione Luigi Rovati by Mario Cucinella just flow
In Milan, the Etruscan Galleries at the Fondazione Luigi Rovati, designed by architect Mario Cucinella, open to the public
By Ellie Stathaki • Last updated
-
This historical Florentine villa is given a contemporary rethink
Danish design brand Frama and filmmaker Albert Moya have worked together to update the Villa Medicea di Marignolle in Italy
By Hannah Silver • Last updated