Exhibition extended until June 28

From May 12 to June 7, Villa Widmann hosts an exceptional exhibition journey bringing together the visual poetics of Giuseppe La Spada and the sculptural power of Koen Vanmechelen, inviting visitors to reflect on the vital relationship between humanity and the planet.

On the occasion of the first edition of Ancestrale Festival, Villa Widmann opens its doors to an unprecedented artistic dialogue where visitors can immerse themselves in an exhibition path combining photography, sculpture, and video installation. Curated to explore the deep roots of our existence and the challenges of contemporary sustainability, the exhibition features the work of two internationally renowned artists: Giuseppe La Spada and Koen Vanmechelen.

Giuseppe La Spada: Water as Origin and Consciousness

The interdisciplinary artist presents a body of photographic works investigating the “atavistic dimension of water.” Through a research practice that merges art, sustainability, and spirituality, La Spada leads the viewer into a profound reflection on the essential relationship between human beings and this vital element. The narrative unfolds from the evocation of our biological beginnings to today’s environmental emergencies, such as ocean pollution, with the aim of overcoming contemporary indifference and encouraging emotional and cognitive engagement in the protection of Nature.

Koen Vanmechelen: “We Thought We Were Alone”

At the same time, celebrated Belgian conceptual artist Koen Vanmechelen brings to Villa Widmann a synthesis of his exhibition “We Thought We Were Alone.” His research focuses on themes of hybridization, identity, and biocultural diversity. Through the use of different materials such as marble, bronze, and glass, Vanmechelen challenges the concept of human exceptionalism, suggesting that survival depends not on conquest, but on “reciprocity and hybridization.”

The works on display reveal how life exists only through networks of human, animal, and ecological connections, where the animal becomes the messenger of a different truth about our wild nature.

Although expressed through different artistic languages, the two exhibitions converge toward a shared vision: the idea that human beings are not isolated entities, but an integral part of a vast and fragile global ecosystem. While La Spada brings us back to the source of life through the liquid element, Vanmechelen imagines the conditions for a “Cosmopolitan Renaissance,” a new global Renaissance founded on the interdependence of all species.

For further information about the full festival programme and guided tours:
www.ancestralefestival.art
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