Supported by Michael Werner Gallery, the dual-artist show traces the parallels—and divergences—of these storied artists.
What You Need to Know: With the support of Michael Werner Gallery, a dual-artist exhibition alights in Venice at the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, “Invisible Questions That Fill the Air: James Lee Byars and Seung-taek Lee.” On view through August 25, 2024, and curated by art historian Allegra Pesenti, the show traces the parallels and divergences of these two artists’ practices, and how their work engages with the historical, architectural context. Speaking of the exhibition, Pesenti said, “The otherworldly fabric of Venice and more specifically the historical backdrop of the Palazzo Loredan become a unique stage for both artists. The combination of gold, stone, wood, and rope in their respective works reflects the traditional materials of Venice’s built environment. And poetry and philosophy, which are so central to the art of both Byars and Lee, find common ground in the ornate libraries of Palazzo Loredan in Campo Santo Stefano.”
