Black or White
Works from the Collection 1935–2021
11.11.2023 - 16.02.2025
Palazzo Reali
Via Canova 10,
6900 Lugano
Opening hours:
Tue / Wed / Fri: 11 am – 6 pm
Thurs: 11 am – 8 pm
Sat / Sun / Public Holidays: 10 am – 6 pm
Mon: closed
A new look at a group of works from the MASI Collection; pieces that have never been presented to the public before, or are only exhibited rarely.
“Bianco o nero” (Black or White) is an exhibition spanning multiple themes that brings together painting, sculpture, photography, kinetic and conceptual art from the 1930s to the present day. From the strongest voices in Italian art after WWII to the ready-mades of conceptual art, from pop art to the hyperrealist sculpture of the beginning of the new millennium, this limited but carefully chosen selection touches on the various focal points of the MASI Collection. Gravitating around the visual and conceptual motif of black or white, the pieces are combined in such a way as to spark new and unexpected associations and interpretations.
The works on show are owned by the City of Lugano, Canton Ticino and the MASI Foundation; some belong to the ProMuseo Association, while others are private donations - such as the Panza di Biumo and Giancarlo and Danna Olgiati donations - or come from the artists themselves.
The individual works are accompanied by detailed presentations that visitors will be able to access via smartphone, by scanning dedicated QR codes.
Roger Ackling, Fiorenza Bassetti, Ford Beckman, Bertozzi & Casoni, Monica Bonvicini, Fernando Bordoni, Gianfredo Camesi, Gianni Caravaggio, Gianni Colombo, Alberto Flammer, Lucio Fontana, Andrea Gabutti, Ingeborg Lüscher, Fausto Melotti, Giulio Paolini, Robert Therrien, Margherita Turewicz-Lafranchi
Cover image:
Installation view Black or White. Works from the Collection 1935–2021 Photo © MASI Lugano, photography Alfio Tommasini
Gianni Caravaggio, Alpha and Omega, 2013, graphite on tracing paper. Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano. Gift Giancarlo and Danna Olgiati
Installation view “Black or White. Works from the Collection 1935–2021” © MASI Lugano, photo: Alfio Tommasini
Ingeborg Lüscher, Verstummelung 71/6, 1971, cape and boots, wooden coat hanger, cigarette butts, glue and nitrocellulose varnish. Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano. Gift of the artist © 2023, ProLitteris, Zurich
Installation view “Black or White. Works from the Collection 1935–2021” © MASI Lugano, photo: Alfio Tommasini
Fiorenza Bassetti, Grenade, 1999, graphite on handmade paper. Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano. Gift Carolina Bassetti Balmelli
Installation view “Black or White. Works from the Collection 1935–2021” © MASI Lugano, photo: Alfio Tommasini
Margherita Turewicz Lafranchi, Union, 2000, plastic and wire on canvas. Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano. Collezione Cantone Ticino
Installation view “Black or White. Works from the Collection 1935–2021” © MASI Lugano, photo: Alfio Tommasini
Gianfredo Camesi, Forme de lumière, 1997, oil on canvas. Museo d’arte della Svizzera italiana, Lugano. Collezione Cantone Ticino. Gift of the artist