From 16 July 2026 the Art Museum of Italian Switzerland expands its exhibition path with Diatom, work of John M Armleder, donated by the artist to the museum. The project spans the first floor and a long wall of the LAC's bistro and restaurant area, redefining the relationship between the exhibition space and the passageways.
The work, created in 2005, is rarely presented in large-scale institutional contexts. Previous exhibitions include the MAMCO in Geneva and the Lokremise in St. Gallen. Its new location in Lugano thus marks a further phase in the work's public circulation.
A surface that reacts to space
Diatom It presents itself as a large wall structure composed of modular mirrored plexiglass elements. The surface doesn't simply occupy the wall, but constantly reacts to its surroundings: light, movement, and the presence of visitors are fragmented and multiplied into its reflective components.
The overall effect is that of an unstable visual system, in which perception never remains fixed. The work is part of Armleder's research from the early 2000s, characterized by large-scale installations and the fusion of painting, sculpture, and environmental devices.
The reference to diatoms and the natural size
The title of the work refers to diatoms, marine microorganisms characterized by extremely varied geometric structures. These organisms, known for their function in aquatic ecosystems, are often described as "jewels of the sea" due to the quality of their shapes and the ability of their siliceous membranes to reflect light.
In Armleder's work, this scientific reference translates into an aesthetic principle: modular repetition becomes continuous variation, while the mirrored surface suggests a process of constant transformation.
An intervention that involves the public
The location at MASI allows for an unmediated "encounter" of the work. The audience doesn't simply observe an object, but walks through an environment where perception is continually reorganized by the work's presence.
The director of the museum, Letizia Ragaglia, emphasized how the intervention substantially alters the experience of some of the building's spaces, introducing a level of direct interaction between the work and visitors. The reference to repetition, a central element in Armleder's poetics, is interpreted as an open structure: identical in form, yet ever-changing in its visual effects.
Studio Gest and support for the project
The installation was also made possible thanks to the support of Studio Gest, which contributed to the complex installation phase. The size of the work, which exceeds ten meters in length, required complex technical interventions and careful management of the exhibition spaces.
According to the company's management, supporting cultural institutions is part of a patronage program initiated in recent years, with particular attention to collaboration with MASI.
An artist between languages and references
Born in Geneva in 1948, Armleder is considered a central figure on the international art scene. His research encompasses painting, sculpture, installation, and performance, challenging traditional hierarchies of visual languages.
His works have been presented in institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, consolidating a stable presence on the international museum circuit.
An evening open to the public
The inauguration of Diatom is scheduled for Thursday 16 July 2026 from 18:00 pm to 20:30 pm in the spaces of the LAC Lugano Art and CultureAdmission to MASI exhibitions will be free from 18:00 PM to 20:00 PM.
The evening will include a welcome drink and a presentation of the work by the museum director, in the presence of Studio Gest representatives. The event will continue in the outdoor spaces of the LAC bar, coinciding with the city's summer events.
