Elisabetta Benassi was born in Rome in 1966. With references to the political and artistic cultural tradition of the twentieth century, psychoanalysis as well as the controversial issues of the contemporary world, the work of Elisabetta Benassi covers the difficult space of our present.
In the background appears a recurring question on our present situation and identity, on their relationship with the historical past which is reconsidered against the light. Rebuilding a readability of reality and widening the field of consciousness thus become the fundamental themes of her research.
Selected solo shows: Letargo, Magazzino, Rome, IT, 2016; That’s Me in the Picture, Gallery Jousse Entreprise, Paris, FR, 2015; Corsaro, Maxxi, Rome, IT, 2014; Smog a Los Angeles, CRAC Alsace, Altkirch, FR, 2013; Voglio fare subito una mostra, Fondazione Merz, Turin, IT, 2013; Soledad, Fiac! Grand Palais, Paris, FR, 2011; All I Remember, Magazzino, Rome, IT, 2010; Unlimited, Art | 40 | Basel, Basel, CH, 2009.
Selected group shows: More Than Just Words (On the Poetic), Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna, AFG, 2017; Please Come back. The world as a prison?, MAXXI, Rome, IT, 2017; Industriale Immaginario, Collezione Maramotti, Reggio Emilia, IT, 2015-16; Venice Biennial 55th International Art Exhibition, Italian Pavillon Vice/Versa, IT, 2013; Mutatis Mutandis, Wiener Secession, Vienna, AT, 2012; Newtopia: The State of Human Rights. Exhibition for the City of Mechelen, Mechelen, BE, 2012; Blind Spot, Berlin Documentary Forum 2, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, DE, 2012; Art and Press. Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin, ZKM | Center for Art and Media, Museum of Contemporary Art, Karlsruhe, DE, 2012; A proposito di Marisa Merz, MAXXI Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo, Rome, IT, 2011; Illuminazioni, Venice Biennale 54th International Art Exhibition, IT, 2011; Tutto è connesso 2, Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Rivoli, IT, 2011; Chartreuse Jeune, Casa Tabarelli, Cornaiano, Bolzano, IT, 2010; Mimétisme, Extra City for Contemporary Art, Antwerpen, BE, 2008; Dai tempo al tempo, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Guarene d’Alba, IT, 2008.
She also partecipeted at last three edition of Venice Biennale: Personne et les Autres, Belgium’s pavilion, 2015; Viceversa, Italian Pavilion, 2013; ILLUMInations, by Bice Curiger, 2011