Exhibition in Milan Honors Latin American Struggles Through Art
From May 25 to June 14, 2026, the Fondazione Emilio Scanavino in Milan will host Omaggio all’America Latina, a poignant exhibition featuring a 1971 collaborative work by Alik Cavaliere and Emilio Scanavino. Originally created for the 11th Biennale di San Paolo del Brasile, the piece—a monumental wall divided into panels bearing the names of Latin American martyrs for freedom—has been recontextualized in this new display. The artwork, which was controversially withdrawn before its 1971 debut, now confronts viewers with the enduring legacy of political violence and resistance in the region.
A Dialogue of Forms: Cavaliere’s Vegetal Sculptures and Scanavino’s Paintings
The exhibition juxtaposes Scanavino’s abstract, textured canvases with Cavaliere’s bronze “vegetal grooves,” which extend into the space like organic, gnarled forms. This interplay challenges traditional boundaries between painting and sculpture, symbolizing the resilience of Latin American struggles. The artists’ collaboration, initially deemed too provocative for the 1971 Biennale, now resonates as a powerful critique of historical erasure and political repression.
Regina José Galindo’s Performance: A Modern Echo
To complement the 1971 work, Guatemalan artist Regina José Galindo will perform Homage to Latin America / Veiling on April 14, 2026, coinciding with the exhibition’s opening. Galindo, known for her unflinching exploration of violence and memory, will use her body as a medium to reenact the themes of the original piece. A post-produced video of the performance will be integrated into the exhibition, offering a contemporary lens on the same historical narratives.
Curatorial Vision: Reclaiming History
Curators Marco Scottini of the Centro Alti Studi Emilio Scanavino and Greta Petese, director of the Fondazione Emilio Scanavino, emphasize the exhibition’s role in confronting uncomfortable truths. “This work refuses to romanticize history,” Scottini states. “It demands that we name the violence that shaped Latin America, a responsibility we cannot avoid.” Petese adds that the show seeks to “bridge the past and present, linking historical resistance to current struggles for justice.”
Key Takeaways
- The 1971 artwork by Cavaliere and Scanavino was withdrawn due to its politically charged content but now serves as a critical reflection on Latin American history.
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