16 <strong>February</strong> <strong>2024</strong> www.magzoid.com
UAE INLOCO INITIATIVE UNVEILS GROUNDBREAKING ARTISTIC ENDEAVOR IN DUBAI: INLOCO STORAGE PREMIERES WITH FILIPPO MINELLI’S “THE IDEALISED CITY” Inloco Initiative has set <strong>the</strong> stage for a revolutionary art representation with <strong>the</strong> grand open<strong>in</strong>g of Inloco Storage <strong>in</strong> Dubai. The <strong>in</strong>augural event <strong>in</strong>troduces an entirely novel form of artistic expression, headl<strong>in</strong>ed by <strong>the</strong> first solo exhibition <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE by contemporary artist Filippo M<strong>in</strong>elli, titled “The Idealised City.” M<strong>in</strong>elli’s avant-garde approach, rooted <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> concept of art <strong>in</strong>tervention, promises a profound exploration of urban and cultural transformations that shape identity <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> post-globalization era. Draw<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>spiration from a culm<strong>in</strong>ation of experiences work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> rapidly evolv<strong>in</strong>g landscapes worldwide, M<strong>in</strong>elli crystallized his vision after <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>sightful Inloco Talks 2023. This event brought toge<strong>the</strong>r urbanists, architects, curators, and o<strong>the</strong>r professionals, provid<strong>in</strong>g M<strong>in</strong>elli with a platform to deepen his understand<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>tersection between identity and space. “The subject came to me after work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> various cities on different cont<strong>in</strong>ents, which, like <strong>the</strong> place I was born, are rapidly chang<strong>in</strong>g landscapes that cont<strong>in</strong>ually remix references. However, I developed <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>stallation after Inloco Talks 2023, where urbanists, architects, curators, and o<strong>the</strong>r professionals shared ideas about identity space and city-mak<strong>in</strong>g. It was a great opportunity to deepen my understand<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>the</strong>ir th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g and f<strong>in</strong>d connections between it and my past research,” says Filippo M<strong>in</strong>elli. M<strong>in</strong>elli’s artistic practice challenges <strong>the</strong> conventional construction and deconstruction of narratives that frame recognition. “The Idealised City” delves <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> role of architectural and urban elements <strong>in</strong> personal and collective self-formation with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> context of our globalized world. The exhibition draws on historical perspectives, juxtapos<strong>in</strong>g Leon Battista Alberti’s Renaissance ‘Ideal City’ with Al-Farabi’s ‘Virtuous City’ (Mad<strong>in</strong>at al- Fadilah), explor<strong>in</strong>g modern urbanism and its departure from past models. Influential figures such as Khaled Al Alawadi, Associate Professor of Susta<strong>in</strong>able Urbanism at Khalifa University, and George Katodrytis, Professor of Architecture at <strong>the</strong> American University of Sharjah, <strong>in</strong>spired Inloco Talks 2023. They explored Dubai’s dynamic landscape, transformative power, and leadership <strong>in</strong> shap<strong>in</strong>g modern cityscapes. “The Idealised City” confronts <strong>the</strong> homogeneity prevalent <strong>in</strong> urban development globally, contrast<strong>in</strong>g it with <strong>the</strong> dist<strong>in</strong>ct cultural and historical identities of ancient city centers, now relegated to tourist attractions. This stark dichotomy forms <strong>the</strong> foundation for question<strong>in</strong>g contemporary <strong>in</strong>terpretations of ‘au<strong>the</strong>nticity’ and ‘collective identity.’ M<strong>in</strong>elli’s exhibition also reflects on <strong>the</strong> profound <strong>in</strong>fluence of Bedou<strong>in</strong> traditions and nomadic practices <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gulf Region’s urban development. These elements emerge as alternative perspectives to traditional preservation methods, enrich<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> contemporary landscape. Through <strong>the</strong> medium of photography, video, and <strong>in</strong>stallation art, Filippo M<strong>in</strong>elli crafts an immersive environment that seamlessly extends <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> digital realm. “The Idealised City” beckons viewers to engage with profound <strong>the</strong>mes of <strong>in</strong>trospection, au<strong>the</strong>nticity, and <strong>the</strong> representation of reality <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> ever-evolv<strong>in</strong>g digital age. Inloco Storage <strong>in</strong> Dubai is a testament to <strong>the</strong> convergence of art, urbanism, and cultural dialogue, sett<strong>in</strong>g a new benchmark for <strong>the</strong> global art scene. www.magzoid.com <strong>February</strong> <strong>2024</strong> 17