Magzoid Magazine - Luxury Magazine in the Creative Space | February 2024 |

UAE
INLOCO INITIATIVE UNVEILS
GROUNDBREAKING ARTISTIC
ENDEAVOR IN DUBAI: INLOCO
STORAGE PREMIERES WITH FILIPPO
MINELLI’S “THE IDEALISED CITY”
Inloco Initiative has set the stage for a
revolutionary art representation with the
grand opening of Inloco Storage in Dubai.
The inaugural event introduces an entirely
novel form of artistic expression, headlined
by the first solo exhibition in the UAE by contemporary
artist Filippo Minelli, titled “The
Idealised City.”
Minelli’s avant-garde approach, rooted in
the concept of art intervention, promises a
profound exploration of urban and cultural
transformations that shape identity in the
post-globalization era. Drawing inspiration
from a culmination of experiences working in
rapidly evolving landscapes worldwide, Minelli
crystallized his vision after the insightful
Inloco Talks 2023. This event brought
together urbanists, architects, curators, and
other professionals, providing Minelli with a
platform to deepen his understanding of the
intersection between identity and space.
“The subject came to me after working in
various cities on different continents, which,
like the place I was born, are rapidly changing
landscapes that continually remix references.
However, I developed the installation
after Inloco Talks 2023, where urbanists,
architects, curators, and other professionals
shared ideas about identity space and
city-making. It was a great opportunity to
deepen my understanding of their thinking
and find connections between it and my past
research,” says Filippo Minelli.
Minelli’s artistic practice challenges the
conventional construction and deconstruction
of narratives that frame recognition. “The
Idealised City” delves into the role of architectural
and urban elements in personal and
collective self-formation within the context of
our globalized world. The exhibition draws
on historical perspectives, juxtaposing Leon
Battista Alberti’s Renaissance ‘Ideal City’
with Al-Farabi’s ‘Virtuous City’ (Madinat al-
Fadilah), exploring modern urbanism and its
departure from past models.
Influential figures such as Khaled Al Alawadi,
Associate Professor of Sustainable
Urbanism at Khalifa University, and George
Katodrytis, Professor of Architecture at the
American University of Sharjah, inspired Inloco
Talks 2023. They explored Dubai’s dynamic
landscape, transformative power, and
leadership in shaping modern cityscapes.
“The Idealised City” confronts the homogeneity
prevalent in urban development
globally, contrasting it with the distinct cultural
and historical identities of ancient city
centers, now relegated to tourist attractions.
This stark dichotomy forms the foundation
for questioning contemporary interpretations
of ‘authenticity’ and ‘collective identity.’
Minelli’s exhibition also reflects on the profound
influence of Bedouin traditions and
nomadic practices in the Gulf Region’s urban
development. These elements emerge
as alternative perspectives to traditional
preservation methods, enriching the contemporary
landscape.
Through the medium of photography, video,
and installation art, Filippo Minelli crafts
an immersive environment that seamlessly
extends into the digital realm. “The Idealised
City” beckons viewers to engage with
profound themes of introspection, authenticity,
and the representation of reality in the
ever-evolving digital age. Inloco Storage in
Dubai is a testament to the convergence of
art, urbanism, and cultural dialogue, setting
a new benchmark for the global art scene.
www.magzoid.com February 2024
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