ABITARE - Solo show by Samanta Malavasi
June 26 to August 01, 2026
Opening: Thursday, June 25 at 7 pm
Performance by Giusy Cirillo on Thursday, July 16 at 6.30 pm
Samanta Malavasi is a contemporary abstract painter and installation artist based between Modena (IT) and Berlin (DE). For Malavasi, art serves as a vital instrument for human connection. Through layered, monochromatic compositions, her work invites contemplation on the human being, transcending differences of language, origin, or creed. The monochrome in her pieces is not merely an aesthetic choice, but a symbolic act: a singular color that unifies, representing humanity as a shared entity. Each surface she employs—plexiglass, PVC, canvas, paper, plastic, wood—becomes a community upon which to imprint signs, traces, collective alphabets. Art transforms into a shared skin, a space where human journeys intertwine, generating a map of invisible relationships. Eschewing individualism, Malavasi conceives of the creative act as an act of listening: each mark is a story, a voice, a presence. In this vision, layering is not accumulation, but community. The “common alphabet” to which the artist refers is a language composed of universal signs: it speaks not with words, but with imprints, with the traces of who we were and who we are today. It is an alphabet constructed through dialogue. It is a language that does not exclude, but includes; that does not divide, but unites. In her works, communities are not depicted as uniform masses, but as interconnected movements, paths that brush against and overlap one another, dissolving the boundaries between individuals and cultures. Unity, for Malavasi, is not uniformity, but a multiplicity that recognizes itself as part of a whole. Each layer of color, each imprinted mark, contributes to the construction of a shared surface that does not erase, but embraces differences. Artist residencies are a fundamental aspect of her practice. By immersing herself in diverse cultures, Malavasi gathers new traces, alphabets, and signs that interweave with existing ones to create an ever-expanding network of connections. In each new culture she encounters, Malavasi not only brings her own language but also listens, collecting symbols, stories, gestures, and memories. In doing so, she creates visual bridges, intertwining traces. Before fully dedicating herself to visual art, Malavasi was an author and illustrator of children’s books, an experience that has profoundly shaped her artistic language, lending it a strong narrative sensibility. Each of her works invites the viewer to reflect on their own journey, to recognize the traces left and received, fostering a dialogue between the personal and the universal. Her art serves as a reminder that everything—every layer, every trace—transforms into something else, creating an infinite cycle of transformation and community.
“Nothing is ever finished; it simply becomes part of the infinite.”
ABOUT THE PROJECT: In the modern era, the act of 'dwelling' has undergone a radical turning point. Once, homes were gathering places, spaces where families came together, and neighbors were integral parts of our daily lives. Houses were not only refuges but also social hubs. However, with the advancement of digital technologies and the increasing globalization, the concept of 'dwelling' has undergone an unprecedented transformation. The breaking point became evident when individuals found themselves compelled to never stop to keep up with new technologies, working tirelessly to meet the ever-growing demands of the digital society. The home has become a place of digital isolation, where communication is mediated through screens and keyboards. The concept of social exchange within homes has become a utopia, as we are constantly connected but simultaneously distanced from others. The breaking point of dwelling is manifested in emotional isolation and the loss of community.
ABITARE aims to explore this turning point. Using dance and visual arts, we want to visually represent the isolation and disconnection that often characterize modern life. The multidisciplinary installation will be an exploration of how contemporary individuals move within increasingly digital and virtual spaces, seeking a balance between technology and the need for human connection.
