Galerie Gisela Capitain is preparing to inaugurate the seventh edition of Zweigstelle Capitain at the Centro delle Arti, della Scena e dell'Audiovisivo in Naples, with a solo exhibition by Joan Jonas, 88, a leading artist in the contemporary scene and a pioneer in video installation and performance.
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Volcano Saga: A narrative between myth and nature
The main attraction of the exhibition will be “Volcano Saga,” a multimedia installation that intertwines mythological and natural elements through a captivating visual narrative. The work draws inspiration from the Icelandic saga Laxdla, exploring the complexity of volcanic landscapes as emblems of transformation and rebirth. Jonas combines video, performance and sculptural installations to evoke a universe that is both ancient and modern. The iconography of the volcano represents not only destruction and rebirth, but also the inescapable force of nature. Originally conceived as a performance between 1985 and 1987, “Volcano Saga” was transformed into a short film in 1989, starring Tilda Swinton and Ron Vawter, and was included in the 2024 retrospective “Joan Jonas: Good Night Good Morning” at MoMA in New York.
New horizons and artistic creations
During the opening of the exhibition, Joan Jonas will lead a reading-performance in the exhibition spaces. In conjunction with the main event, Ryan Sullivan’s debut will further enrich the artistic offering. The American artist, who recently joined Galerie Gisela Capitain, will exhibit at Casa a new series of works that explore the aesthetics of petrified paint, evoking geological and cosmic landscapes.
Collaboration with the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station
In the framework of Zweigstelle Capitain VII, in collaboration with the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Joan Jonas will present a collection of drawings inspired by the institute’s historicized scientific watercolors. This special exhibition will be held at the Naples Aquarium and will be open to the public until May 4, 2025. Zweigstelle Capitain, founded in 2022, aims to promote intercultural encounters and dialogues between artists and the local art scene, proposing a rich program of events involving poets, actors, musicians and dancers.
Article published on March 20, 2025 - 18pm
