Ulassai, Sardinia: The Meaning of the Work

Ulassai, a town in Sardinia, is undergoing a profound transformation, evolving into a vibrant, distributed laboratory for contemporary artistic practices. This dynamic shift is largely driven by the second edition of its Contemporary Art Biennale. Following its successful debut in 2024, the Biennale returns to explore new chapters dedicated to the conceptual and relational dimensions of art, engaging in a powerful dialogue with the enduring legacy of Maria Lai. Lai famously conceived of art not as a finished product but as an open process, fully realized through the encounter between the artist, the context, and the audience. In a fitting tribute to Lai, the permanent collection dedicated to her work, featuring a refreshed installation, remains open to visitors throughout the Biennale.

This significant artistic event gathers twenty artists and three guest curators, spanning two key exhibition venues: the Stazione dell’Arte and the CaMuC – Casa Museo Cannas. Under the artistic direction of Gianni Murtas and Marco Peri, and in close collaboration with some of Sardinia's most active contemporary art organizations, the Ulassai Contemporary Art Biennale continues its journey with renewed vigor. It plays a crucial role in establishing Ulassai as a distinguished hub for cultural production.

The exhibition is structured into three distinct sections: Orografie (Orographic Maps), This Is, and Campo Luminoso. Luci sulla campagna (Luminous Field. Lights on the Countryside). The first section, Orografie, curated by Giannella Demuro for Organica Museo, features the works of Fabiana Casu, Eleonora Desole, Giuseppe Loi, and Davide Mariani, fostering a dialogue between emerging art and the natural landscape. The This Is section, curated by Ivo Serafino Fenu for Parco delle Arti Molineddu, brings together five compelling pairs of artists: Giovanni Carta with Gianni Nieddu, Daniela Frongia with Stefano “Feffo” Porru, Mattia Enna with Daniela and Francesca Manca, Giusy Calia with Antonello Fresu, and Sabrina Oppo with Josephine Sassu. Finally, Campo Luminoso. Luci sulla campagna, curated by Francesca Sassu for the nocefresca residency, presents the creations of Chiara Cordeschi, Laure Jolissaint, Josef Kováč, Renée Lotenero, and Simone Mizzotti, offering a poetic reflection on the current realities of rural communities.

Make sure to visit Ulassai and experience "The Meaning of the Work" firsthand.