An existential dialogue unfolds between Ulrika Sparre’s interpretation of nature’s voice and Alberto Giacometti's memories in the Bregaglia Valley.
This artistic project starts from the desire to listen to Alberto Giacometti’s memories in light of a new contemporary performative contribution. From a historical point of view, Sparre and Giacometti are far apart. However, they seem to share the same spiritual connection drawing inspiration from rocks as a memory of their geographical and emotional territories. As the Swiss sculptor was always obsessed with possible failure through his awareness of the conflict between reality and perception, Sparre also reflects on this possibility and perception’s quality. In Alberto Giacometti’s and Ulrika Sparre’s imaginary, stones are something alive and immortal.
Giacometti’s reflections on his childhood in Stampa, Switzerland, paint a vivid picture of the profound impact his environment had on his artistic development. Born into a world where the rugged, granite mountains dominated the landscape, his early experiences were deeply intertwined with the natural beauty and mystery of the region. The connection to his birthplace resonates vividly in his retelling of a captivating aspect of his childhood environment: a cave nestled beneath the golden monolith, situated 800 meters from the village, juxtaposed with the ominous black monolith that once filled Alberto with fear as a child, deterring him from ever venturing back to its depths.
The way Giacometti describes this golden monolith, and the cave suggests a sacred or magical significance, as if these elements of the landscape served as portals to a world of imagination and wonder. For a young child, such a monumental stone could indeed seem like an object of fascination and awe, its golden hue possibly catching the light in a way that made it stand out against the backdrop of the mountains and the village. The act of huddling at the bottom of the cave, as Giacometti did, speaks to a desire for intimacy with this natural wonder, a physical and emotional closeness to something perceived as grand and mystical.
Exploring Giacometti’s memories alongside Wislawa Szymborska’s “Conversation with a Stone” (1962), as read by Virginia Marano, Sparre captures the varied hues and shifting lights of the stones, revealing a fresh perspective on nature's orchestration, linking diverse landscapes. Framing Stampa as a transformative space, the dialogue between Sparre and Giacometti, mediated by the elemental voice of stones, becomes a dynamic exploration of memory, identity, and the impact of place on artistic expression. Incorporating this lens, the project narrative delves into how Stampa inspires creativity and reinterpretation, inviting reflection on the profound ties between place, history, and art.
Sparre’s project is shown in Stampa at the Centro Giacometti from June 28th, 2025 to October 19th. To the cultural program of 2025
With the financial support of the Commissione della cultura del Comune di Bregaglia and of the Amici del Centro Giacometti
Curator: Dr. Virginia Marano
Artist Ulrika Sparre www.ulrikasparre.com
