PARTY IN PIECES

Group show

at Archivio Rachele Bianchi, Milan, Via Legnano 14
curated by ReA!

Critical text by Maria Myasnikova

Alice Capelli (b. 1997) is an Italian artist based in Milan, known for her evocative and deeply emotional work. For the "Party in Pieces" group exhibition at the Archivio Rachele Bianchi, she unveils two striking pieces that explore themes of fragility, loss, and transformation.

Her first piece, “La Festa è Finita”, takes the form of a heart-shaped piñata, delicately covered in "rose petals" made of liquid latex applied to human skin. This fragile object lies shattered on the floor, spilling its contents — cosmetic powder symbolising "fairy dust" — across the ground. The powder leaves a glimmering trace, representing something magical that has been broken, wasted, and discarded. The piñata, once playful and alluring, becomes an artefact of abandonment, a poignant reminder of what was and is no more. Rather than symbolising recovery or rebirth, the artwork tenderly embraces vulnerability and fragility, turning weakness into its own powerful narrative.

In “Ho Tagliato la Corda”, Capelli presents a composition of remnants that speak to a profound sense of futility. A terracotta chain, known for its delicate and transient nature, uselessly restrains a limp latex arm, which lies collapsed like a second skin or a shed layer. This arm, now lifeless on the floor, serves as a reminder of a presence that has vanished. The work reflects the futile pursuit of control and possession, evoking a blend of sensuality, eroticism, and forced violence. What remains are traces of a past moment and the weighty evidence of self-sabotage, symbolising the emotional struggle to break free from entangling, complex situations. The work is placed on “Memorabili Membra” - a warm "sheet", adorned with dreamy, naive polka-dotted petals, inviting viewers to seek solace in its reassuring symbolism, offering a softer, more comforting vision. It envelops the audience in its gentle warmth, offering a space to find comfort and reassurance amidst the chaos of life’s fragility.

Capelli's installations deftly combine raw emotion with delicate materials, creating an atmosphere that lingers long after the first glance, inviting reflection on the fleeting, fragile nature of existence.
La festa è finita (The Party Is Over), 2024
latex, pigments, fabric, cosmetic powder, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova
La festa è finita (The Party Is Over), 2024
latex, pigments, fabric, cosmetic powder, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova
La festa è finita (The Party Is Over), 2024
latex, pigments, fabric, cosmetic powder, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova
Ho tagliato la corda (Cut the Loose Ends), 2024
latex, pigments, satin fabric, dryed flowers, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova
Ho tagliato la corda (Cut the Loose Ends), 2024
latex, pigments, satin fabric, dryed flowers, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova
Ho tagliato la corda (Cut the Loose Ends), 2024
latex, pigments, satin fabric, dryed flowers, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova
Ho tagliato la corda (Cut the Loose Ends), 2024
latex, pigments, satin fabric, dryed flowers, baked clay, variable sizes
Installation view at “Party in Pieces”, Archivio Rachele Bianchi (Milan)
Photo by: Anna Ivanova