Barry X Ball

Opens Saturday, May 9

The Shape of Time is a major survey showcasing Barry X Ball's innovative sculptural practice. This exhibition highlights the artist's distinctive approach—merging advanced digital technologies with traditional craftsmanship—to reinvent historical masterpieces using new materials and forms.

The exhibition is held in the spectacular and historically significant Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice. The strategic placement of Barry X Ball's works within this sacred site not only activates the church's architectural space but also attracts a diverse audience, drawing upon cross-cultural references. The subject matter of the works is ecumenical, resonating with a wide array of visitors.

The Shape of Time is thoughtfully curated to resonate with the sacred character of the Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore, a historic church situated on its namesake island within the renowned Venice Lagoon, itself designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The choice of this significant venue underscores the project's alignment with the broader mission of the Benedictine community—present on this island since 982 AD—to enhance, promote, and protect historical, artistic, and spiritual heritage.

The opening of the exhibition coincides with a major milestone in the field of conservation. During the same week, the restoration of Jacopo Tintoretto's monumental canvases in the Basilica's presbytery is unveiled: The Last Supper and The Israelites in the Desert. The paintings have regained clarity and coherence, allowing their imagery and religious message to emerge with renewed force.

Barry X Ball and the supporters of the exhibition, made aware by the Benedictine community—long engaged in ordinary and extraordinary maintenance works of the historic, artistic, and spiritual heritage of the state-owned monument—affirm their commitment to supporting the conservation activities of the artistic and cultural heritage managed by the Benedictine community.

The exhibition is curated by Bob Nickas, a leading figure in the field, ensuring a thoughtful and comprehensive presentation of Barry X Ball's work. Accompanying The Shape of Time is a scholarly catalog enriched by essays and contributions from several internationally renowned individuals.

Twenty-three pieces by Barry X Ball will be featured in the exhibition, with most of these works being shown to the public for the first time. The exhibition will highlight creations from five distinct series, each showcased in carefully selected locations within the basilica.

In its ambitious scope and thoughtful integration with the historic Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore, The Shape of Time redefines the boundaries of contemporary sculpture and reaffirms the enduring relationship between art, heritage, and spirituality.

By presenting Barry X Ball's groundbreaking works alongside the recently restored masterpieces of Tintoretto, and through its support for the preservation of shared cultural heritage, the exhibition becomes a living testament to a committed and responsible model of collaborative stewardship.

It invites visitors to engage with both the past and the present, fostering a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation, and ensuring that the legacy of the Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore—and the cultural treasures it safeguards—continues to inspire generations to come.