What is happiness in social, economic and political contexts? Can we separate personal and public happiness? How can a cultural model that has proposed a total overlap between hedonism and happiness since the 1980s be changed, when the history of thought, sociology, psychology and even economic studies clearly state that happiness is rooted elsewhere, in gift and solidarity? Can men and women artists offer cultural models capable of focusing on an expanded, collective and plural concept of happiness?

These are the questions that motivate Allegory of Public Happiness, organised by the Mart on the occasion of Trento European Volunteer Capital 2024.

In the spaces of the Galleria Civica di Trento, the exhibition presents the works of 31 artists. Masterpieces from the Mart Collections, some of which are rarely exhibited, dialogue with site-specific works and important loans from partner galleries, public and private collections.

Borrowing its title from the work by the collective Zapruder, which recently became part of Mart's Collections, Allegory of Public Happiness offers a look at social rituals and artistic languages on the theme of public happiness.

Reflection on public happiness dates back to the Western world to the philosophical debate in ancient Greece, although the roots of today's social, cultural and political contingencies are to be found in the post-World War II period. A key figure in contemporary Western thought to whom the curators turned is Hannah Arendt, in particular her 1963 essay On Revolution. According to Arendt, happiness is realised when individuals act collectively, contributing to the political dynamics of their context.

Based on these considerations, the exhibition ranges between different media that question happiness not only as a principle of self-determination of the individual but as a public interest.

The artists and collectives involved offer a perspective in which the individual finds full realisation in relationships, establishing civic and ecological balances through voluntary and solidarity practices. 

In cooperation with the City of Trento and various cultural associations, the project will activate the city's spaces through public art installations and a rich programme of events in the area.

 

Artists - Exhibition
Hangama Amiri, John Baldessari, Gianfranco Baruchello, Mirella Bentivoglio, Alighiero Boetti, Maurizio Cattelan, Piermario Ciani, Betty Danon, Gino De Dominicis, Anna Esposito, Nan Goldin, Daniel Gonzalez, Dan Halter, Sharon Hayes, Diango Hernandez, Annalies Klophaus, Eva Koťátková, Barbara Kruger, Ketty La Rocca, Yarema Malashchuk & Roman Himey, Lucia Marcucci, Jacopo Mazzonelli, Alina McDonald, Bruno Munari, Jackson Nkumanda, Maurizio Nannucci, Anna Oberto, Ahmet Öğüt, Solomostry, Mariasilvia Spolato, Zapruder.

Artists - Public programme
Chiara Camoni con Centro di Sperimentazione, Hannes Egger, Eduard Habicher, Tamara Janes, Ahmet Öğüt, Ozmo, Nico Vascellari, Chiara Ventura, Wunderkammer.