Silvio Wolf (1952) lives and works in Milan and New York. He studied Philosophy and Psychology in Italy and Photography and Visual Arts in London, where he received the Higher Diploma in Advanced Photography from the London College of Printing.
Until the mid 1980s he used exclusively photography to explore the laws, language and two-dimensional nature of the image. His work moved in directions different from those of tradition, which favoured the documentary and narrative value of the photographic image. Instead, he has pursued a more subjective and metaphorical view of reality, producing polyptychs and large-format works that explored the limits of photographic representation, challenging the indexical nature of the photograph through an interest in the abstract and the visible and invisible. He showed internationally, including New Image in 1980 in Milan, Aktuell ‘83 in Munich and Documenta VIII in 1987 in Kassel.
Since the late 1980s to the present he has introduced a wider range of mediums, using the moving image, still projections, light and sound, either individually or in combinations. He has shifted from the pure two-dimensional format of photography to involve social and architectural spaces, creating multimedia projects and sound installations that engage the specificities and history of the venues he operates in. He responds to the personality that a place is capable of expressing and the need to establish a symbolic and experiential relationship with it. In his site-specific projects, as in all his photo-based work, the issues of Absence, Elsewhere and Threshold are always central.
He has shown and created temporary and permanent installations in galleries, museums and public spaces in Belgium, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. In 2009 he was invited to participate in the 53rd Venice Biennale.
The artist currently teaches at the European Institute of Design in Milan and is a visiting professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York.
2017
Double Truth, Unimedia Modern, Genova – Vision Quest, Genova
2016
Origini, Fondazione Calderara – Casa Museo di Vacciago, Novara (curated by Cristina Casero)
Double Doors, Jewish Theological Seminary, New York (curated by Rebecca Pristoop)
2015
La Realtà / Reality, Otto Gallery, Bologna
2014
Double Blind, Photo & Contemporary, Turin
Present Perfect, Photographica FineArt, Lugano
2013
Us, Bruce Silverstein, New York
2011
Sulla Soglia, PAC, Milan (curated by Giorgio Verzotti)
2010
Art-Quitectonica (with Monika Bravo), The Lobby Gallery @ 750 Seventh Ave, New York (curated by Ombretta Andruff)
2009
Prima del Tempo, Galleria Nicoletta Rusconi, Milan
Insight, Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco
2008
Scala Reale, Bentley Hotel, Genoa
La Doppia Vita, Auditorium Conciliazione, Rome
Immagini dell’Invisibile (with Jean Odermatt), Istituto Svizzero, Rome
Voyager, Robert Mann Gallery, New York
2007
L’Invisibile, Fotografia Italiana, MiArt, Milan
2006
John 14, Biblioteca Cantonale, Bellinzona
Scala Zero, Italian Academy at Columbia University, New York
Thresholds, Robert Mann Gallery, New York
Paradiso, Galleria Gottardo, Lugano
2005
Screens and Mirrors, Arendt & Medernach, Luxembourg (curated by Paul di Felice)
2004
Scala Zero, Fotografia Italiana, Milan
2003
Le Due Porte / The Two Doors, Fotografia Italiana, Milan
2001
Double Breath, La Chambre Blanche, Quebec City
Fondazione del Tempo, Fondazione Pistoletto, Biella
Scala Zero, Galerie Clairefontaine, Luxembourg
Icons of Light, Keith Johnson, New York
1999
Grida dal Tempio, Piazza Affari, Milan
The Zone of Shadow, Musée du Québec, Québec
The Elsewhere, Royal Festival Hall, London (curated by Johanna Bernstein)
1998
Luogo Parola, Chiesa Valdese, Milan
1995
Luci Bianche, Galleria Credito Valtellinese – Palazzo delle Stelline, Milan
1993
Azuleyes, Casa Cultura Bellreguard, Valencia
Belvedere 288, Galleria La Polena, Genoa
Origini, Gian Ferrari Arte Contemporanea, Milan
1992
Condomini, Piero Cavellini, Brescia
1991
Stelle Braille, Sala CI, Arte Estetica, Milan
Azuleyes, Pasqual Lucas Espai, Valencia
Icone di Luce, Alberto Weber, Turin
1990
Scale Reali al Gratosoglio, three permanent urban installations, Milan
Camera Sveva, Permanent installation, Vertical Museum, Sheraton Hotel, Bari
1989
Enclave, Galleria Piero Cavellini, Milan
Generazioni di Luce, Galleria Alberto Weber, Turin
1988
Annunciazione Lagrange, Marginalia delle Forme d’Arte, Turin
1987
Grande Muro Occidentale, permanent urban installation, Civitella d’Agliano, Viterbo
La Verità, permanent urban installation, Civitella d’Agliano, Viterbo
1984
Mailand Aktuell / Milan Nowdays, Galerie Van Marwich, Munich
1983
Mental Space, Galerie Perspektief, Rotterdam
Acqua, Studio Marconi , Milan
1982
Spazio Mentale, Mercato del Sale, Milan
1981
Maroc, Galerie Medamothi, Montpellier
2018
WunderMoRE (The Independent) – MAXXI – Museo Nazionale delle arti del XXI secolo, Rome (curated by V.Rossi, M.Scotti I.Bignotti, E.Modena)
Work in Progress – La Collezione d’Arte Contemporanea San Patrignano, La Triennale, Milano (curated by Clarice Pecori Giraldi)
2017
Effetto Man Ray #2, Spazio Contemporanea, Brescia (curated by P. Cavellini)
2016
Mercy in-sight, Università Cattolica, Milan (curated by E. Di Raddo)
Ai limiti del Visibile, Galleria Biffi, Piacenza (curated by G. Foschi)
I Lumi di Chanukkah, Palazzo Ducale, Mantova (curated by D. Carmi, P.Assmann)
Privitera, Uberti, Wolf, Spazio Borgogno, Milan (curated by P. Borgogno)
2015
de-Formations, Bruce Silverstein, New York (curated by D. Brandt)
Zoom, Fondazione Remotti, Camogli (curated by F.Pasini)
Homage to the Square, Photo and Contemporary, Turin (curated by V.Tazzetti)
Luce. Scienza Cinema Arte, Palazzo del Governatore, Parma (curated by C.Casero, J.Malvezzi)
2014
Konstellationen, Galerie f 5.6, München (curated by Katrin Weber)
Opere e progetti del Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea 2004-2014, Palazzo della Triennale, Milan (curated by R.Valtorta)
2012
Cantieri del ‘900, Gallerie d’Italia, Milan (curated by F. Tedeschi)
The Edge of Vision, Schneider Museum of Art, Oregon (curated by L. Rexer)
2011
The Edge of Vision, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park, Florida (curated by L. Rexer)
In a Favourable Light, Nicoletta Rusconi, Milan
2010
Abstract, Galerie f 5.6, München (curated by F. Baur, N.Stanner)
The Edge of Vision, Center for Creative Photography, Tucson, Arizona (curated by L. Rexer)
2009
Collaudi, Padiglione Italia, 53a Biennale di Venezia (curated by L. Beatrice, B. Buscaroli)
The Edge of Vision, Aperture Gallery, New York (curated by L. Rexer)
Beyond the Document: Color Field Photography, Paul Robeson Center for the Arts – Arts council of Princeton (curated by E. Cramos)
Clear Light, European Photography, Reggio Emilia (curated by G. Calvenzi, M.Mulas, L.Serani)
Dopo la Sicilia. A Milano, Galleria Credito Valtellinese – Palazzo delle Stelline, Milan (curated by M. Meneguzzo)
2008
Fotografia Astratta. Dalle Avanguardie al Digitale, Scavi Scaligeri, Verona (curated by R.Valtorta)
Tracce d’Acqua: “Chance”, Installazione personale, Fiume Stura, Valle Stura, Cuneo (curated by T. Conti)
Nessuna onda può pettinare il mare, Fotografia Italiana, Milan (curated by L. Fassi)
Una Historia Privada, Teatro Circo Prince, Madrid (curated by A. e G. Cotroneo)
Three Generations of Italian artists facing time, Art Gallery Society for Macedonian Studies, Salonicco (curated by G. Foschi, N. Kassianou)
Una Storia Privata, Museo Carlo Bilotti, Rome (curated by A. e G. Cotroneo)
Ma liberaci dal Male, Galleria San Fedele, Milan (curated by G. Foschi, A. Dall’Asta)
Spazio Bianco, Four Emotions Palace Galerie, St. Moritz (curated by G. Verzotti)
2007
BMW–Paris Photo Prize for Contemporary Art Photography, Carrousell du Louvre, Paris
Le Stanze della Fotografia, ArtVerona (curated by F. Castelli)
Less #1, Gwangju Design Biennale, Seoul (curated by G. Scardi)
ViviMi, installazione personale: Voce delle Parole, Palazzo della Triennale, Milan (curated by E. Carmi)
2006
Un monde non-objectif en photographie II, Galerie Tessa Herold, Paris (curated by P. Piguet)
TransForm, Arendt & Medernach, Luxembourg (curated by P. di Felice)
Alterazioni, Museo di Fotografia Contemporanea, Cinisello Balsamo, Milan (curated by R. Valtorta)
Une Histoirre Privée: La Photographie Contemporaine Italienne dans la Collection Cotroneo, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris (curated by A. e G. Cotroneo)
Start@Hangar. Arte a Milano, Hangar Bicocca, Milan (curated by G. Verzotti)
Less. Strategie alternative dell’abitare, PAC, Milan (curated by G. Scardi)
10 Artisti della Galleria Fotografia Italiana, Auditorium Conciliazione, Rome (curated by F. Castelli)
2005
Contempor’art. Dal privato al pubblico, Palazzo Bonoris, Brescia (curated by P. Cavellini)
Italy, Spaces and Places, Robert Mann Gallery, New York (curated by C. Traub)
2003
Nodi, Galleria Martano, Turin (curated by A. Candiano, L. Dematteis)
CITTa’ZIONI, Loggia dei Mercanti, Milan (curated by M. di Marzio)
PHotoEspaña 2003, Centro Cultural Conde Duque, Madrid (curated by E. Viganò)
2002
Il Fantasma della libertà, Spazio Erasmus Brera, Milan (curated by M. Meneguzzo)
International Meetings of Photography, City Art Gallery, Plovdiv, Sofia (curated by C.Zanfi)
Utopie Quotidiane, PAC, Milan (curated by V. Fagone, A. Madesani)
Il Tempo della Profezia, Installazione personale: Oggi, Ex Cinema Moderno, Monferrato (curated by T. Conti)
“Today and Tomorrow”, installazione personale: Sunday by Sunday, All Saints Church, London (curated by V. De Circasia)
2001
Monumentos Futuros Esperia, Collegi d’Architectes de Catalunya, Barcelona (curated by E. Biffi Gentili)
Points of View, Künstlerhaus, Dortmund (curated by P. Schmieder)
Experimental Photography in Italy 1970-2000, Villa Savorgnan, Lestans (curated by I. Zannier)
La geografia degli Artisti, Galleria Milano, Milan (curated by F. Tedeschi)
Luxemburg, Les Luxembourgeois, installazione personale: Angels of Time, Urban spaces, Luxembourg (curated by E. Lunghi)
2000
More Ethics Less Aesthetics, Biennale di Architettura, Padiglione U.S.A., Venice (curated by M. Fucksas)
Formae, Galerie Haus am Askanischen Platz, Berlin (curated by A. Beolchi, M. Cecchetti)
La Spiritualità Nell’Arte, Santuario di Oropa, Biella (curated by A. Fiz)
Problemi di luogo, Lorenzelli Arte, Milan (curated by A. Madesani)
1999
The Image After, SFCamerawork, San Francisco L. Delgado (curated by J. L. Reed)
Focus on Italy, Angel Orensanz Foundation, New York (curated by E. Biffi Gentili)
II Biennale Internationale de la Photographie et des Arts visuels, installation: Chantier-Marché, Coeur Saint-Lambert, Liège (curated by E. Lunghi)
32 Italian Photographers – A Tribute to P.Lambert, Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montréal (curated by P. Costantini)
1998
Fotografia e Arte in Italia 1968-1998, Galleria Civica, Modena (curated by F. Maggia, V. Guadagnini
Pagine di fotografia italiana, Galleria Gottardo, Lugano (curated by R. Valtorta)
Due o tre cose che so di loro, PAC, Milan (curated by M. Meneguzzo)
1997
VII Biennale Internazionale di Fotografia, installazione personale: Stazione di Berlino, Bricherasio, Turin (curated by D. Curti)
Oscar, La Nuova Pesa, Roma
Ezra Pound e le Arti, Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, Milan (curated by A. Beolchi, M. Cecchetti, V. Scheiwiller)
1996
XII Quadriennale, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome (curated by L. Pratesi )
1994
Entre Image et Matièr, Centre Internazional D’Art Contemporaine, Montréal (curated by S. Parent )
Mistery and Mith, Museum of Art, Fukuyama/Museum, Chiba/Museum of Art, Kochi/City Museum, Iida, Japan (curated by F. Tanifuzi)
1992
Carambolage, installazione personale: Baden-Baden, Kunsthalle Baden-Baden (curated by T. Camps, I Mirò, A. Von Fürstemberg)
1991
Europäische Wekstatt Ruhrgebiet , Städtische Kunsthalle, Recklinghausen (curated by F. Ullrich)
Now in Italy. Transavanguardia and After, Kodama Gallery, Osaka (curated by G. Niccoli)
Lo Specchio Infedele, PAC, Milan (curated by G. Scimé)
1990
TAC ‘90. Taller d’Art Contemporain, Palacio del la Scala, Valencia, Spain (curated by A. D’Avossa)
1989
L’insistenza dello sguardo. Fotografia italiana 1939-89, Museo Fortuny, Venice / Museo Alinari, Florence (curated by P. Costantini, S. Fuso, S. Mescola, I. Zannier)
1987
DOCUMENTA 8, Museum Fridericianum, Kassel (curated by M. Schneckenburger)
1986
Experimental Italian Photography, Shadai Gallery, Tokyo (curated by G. Scimé)
1985
L’Italie Aujourd’hui, Centre National d’Art, Nice (curated by O. Calbrese)
European Edge, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego (curated by P. Rittermann)
Nuovi Argomenti, PAC, Milan (curated by M.Meneguzzo)
1983
AKTUELL ‘83. Kunst aus Mailand, München, Wien, Zürich, installazione personale: B.A.C.H, Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus, Munich (curated by V. Fagone)
1981
Linee della Ricerca Artistica in Italia 1960/80, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome (/curated by A. Quintavalle)
1980
Nuova Immagine, Palazzo della Triennale, Milan (curated by F. Caroli)
1979