Biennale

Linda Jasmin Mayer, Drifters, 2024. Five Anthropomorphic Masks. Mixed Media. Variable Dimensions. Performance on 31.05.2024. Commissioned by Biennale Gherdëina 9. Photo by Tiberio Sorvillo

The interaction between humans and natural environments, migration and alienation are the main themes behind Linda Jasmin Mayer’s research, developed largely through video works and installations, as well as in her sculptural and performance works. In her most challenging work to date, Dove fermarsi? – a multi-part video work – seven birds wander through a variety of landscapes, driven by loss of belonging and in search of a possible new destination.

In the work Drifters, specially created for Biennale Gherdëina 9, the artist addresses the theme of metamorphosis, taking her cue from the life of plankton (Greek for ‘wandering’), floating aquatic organisms that are among the smallest on Earth. The choice of subject refers to the formation of the Dolomites – rocky chains originated by the deposition of marine organisms – reminding us how these living beings are indispensable for the perpetuation of life on our planet. Drawing inspiration from the shapes and colours of these vegetable or animal creatures, the artist develops in collaboration with the set designer Andrea Ferri anthropomorphic masks and a performance, inspired by the imagery of the ‘wild man’ – widespread throughout the Dolomites – a figure anchored in popular beliefs throughout Europe with a very ritualistic character. (S.G.)

LINDA JASMIN MAYER

Linda Jasmin Mayer (1986, Merano, Italy) lives and works in Gent. In her video work she captures aspects of the real world reflecting a sense of magic or illusion. She graduated from the Time and Space Arts study programme of the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, Helsinki and from Sculpture Studies from the Academy of Fine Arts of Brera, Milan. She studied at the School of Media Arts of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen and participated in the ISP of Maumaus in Lisbon. Her work has been shown at Museion - Museum of Modern Art, Bolzano; The Platform, Antwerpen; Warte für Kunst, Kassel; Trento Film Festival; Colombo Art Biennale; and 35th Kasseler Dokumentar und Video Fest. Her work How to Break the Ice received the Kuvataideakatemian Ystävät prize in 2013. Currently she is a resident of the Practice-based Research in Visual Arts programme of HISK in Gent.

Linda Jasmin Mayer - Drifters - Spazio Ferdinand Stuflesser

Linda Jasmin Mayer, Drifters, 2024. Five Anthropomorphic Masks. Mixed Media. Variable Dimensions. Performance on 31.05.2024. Commissioned by Biennale Gherdëina 9. Photo by Tiberio Sorvillo