Aspra.mente is the name of a collective founded in Venice (IUAV - mentor: Cornelia Lauf) in 2006 by Eva Cenghiaro, Giulia Gabrielli, Gabriella Guida, and Alessandra Saviotti. Our research activities share the common definition of ‘work in progress’, seeking the contribution of operators in other fields than art for interdisciplinary projects that are free from time constraints: an open-ended phase of exploratory research in a given field will thus only consolidate into a definite form when the time for public viewing comes. Our projects are generally context-driven, with local cultures and communities playing an important part in determining the guidelines: by involving the public as stakeholder in the creative process, art becomes an agent and a tool for social initiative and cohesion in the most disparate settings. The running theme is prevalently the consumption of food, regarded as intimately land-specific and as potential generator of agri-cultural projects.
Over the years Aspra.mente have collaborated with diverse artists and collectives, challenging notions of individual authorship as a source for agency.
Since January 2015 Aspra.mente is part of The Independent, a research project on identification and promotion of independent thinking supported by MAXXI Rome.
For a complete overview of our projects please have a look at our portfolio (in Italian) or our website
Over the years Aspra.mente have collaborated with diverse artists and collectives, challenging notions of individual authorship as a source for agency.
Since January 2015 Aspra.mente is part of The Independent, a research project on identification and promotion of independent thinking supported by MAXXI Rome.
For a complete overview of our projects please have a look at our portfolio (in Italian) or our website