The Roman gallery is expanding its spaces at Via Odoardo Beccari 8/10/12 in Rome and invites everyone to visit ‘Fatmah’, a new collective and international exhibition, open until 31 October. Brimming with meaning and conceptual layers, the exhibition presents a dialogue on the theme of new possibilities, future projections, and good fortune, all with a strong flavour of Middle East tradition.
On 18th September, the gallery and artists’ residence, Contemporary Cluster, a long-standing Roman powerhouse and symbol of innovation and avant-garde on the contemporary art scene, will inaugurate the opening of its new spaces through a unique group exhibition that brings together and intertwines international artists. Giacomo Guidi, the founder and creative director of the space, once again shows the rebellious and pioneering spirit that has defined his entire career, opening the doors to a new horizon filled with hopes, desires, and future perceptions.
The exhibition, titled “Fatmah”, a variant of “Fattūmah”, derived from the superlative of “Fatah”, represents a core of meanings and artistic works that interconnect and perfectly define the concept of the gallery’s new beginning.
Nicola Ghirardelli, Arvin Golrokh, Giuseppe Lo Cascio, Lorenzo Montinaro, Jacopo Naccarato, Linus Rauch, Franziska Reinbothe, and Sofiia Yesakova, accompanied by the critical text of Arnold Braho, create a tapestry of connections that delve into the traditions of the Middle East.
“Fatmah” is not merely a title, but a concrete symbol of a living framework where emotions, desires, and memories merge; a continuous flow in which the sacred and the everyday blend together. From a literal standpoint, the Arabic term from which the title derives conceals a meaning of rebirth and change, understood as innovation, renewal, and resilience. It is perceived as a positive omen and a sign of good fortune.This element plays a crucial role within the entire exhibition, as it situates itself within a specific moment in time and transforms the concept into a dynamic and progressive journey.
The notion of good fortune occupies a middle ground between the abandonment of a known path and the arrival at a new stage, one that is seen only through the lens of possibilities and positive aspirations. This hybrid state unleashes a collective driving force, encompassing the energy of an entire group that, through rituals and performances, channels their efforts towards something new, with the hope of attracting promising horizons in a field of infinite potential.
The representation of these desires and near-divinations takes on various forms and shapes, immersing the viewer in a web of multiple interpretations, between clear and striking symbols and subtle, hidden messages. An intricate collective spirit emerges, composed of highly personal fragments, yet placed within a shared temporal framework.
While Nicola Ghirardelli represents fragmentation through floral compositions, Lorenzo Montanaro does so with the more abstract concept of time and the fleeting nature of memory. Arvin Golrokh introduces an architectural element, exhibiting suspended works, alluding to that middle state of good fortune.Each artist brings their own testimony and individual emotional piece, creating a metamorphic exhibition that embodies change and continuous progress.
No exhibition could be more fitting than “Fatmah” to celebrate this new beginning and the future of the gallery’s space. Contemporary Cluster thus presents a dual innovation: an intertwining of future insights housed within a new physical dimension.
Contemporary Cluster / Fatmah
Credits:
Venue: Contemporary Cluster / @contemporary_cluster @giacomoxguidi
Words: Annalisa Fabbrucci / @annalisa_fabbrucci
Editor: Maria Abramenko / @mariabramenko