On view until February 2021 at Palacio De Cristal, the first exhibition inaugurated after the lockdown by Petrit Halilaj (Kostërrc, Skenderaj, Republic of Kosovo, 1986) in collaboration with the Reina Sofia Museum.
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To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in love is Petrit Halilaj’s latest installation at Palacio De Cristal, in Madrid. Resembling a giant nest, the project is an environmental installation that recreates a fairy atmosphere. Connected to the outside world via nourishing areas to feed the birds living in Parque del Retiro, the installation aims at being active part of the surrounding territory. Inside, a multitude of works are displayed. Giant flowers filling the space, downsizing the centrality of the human being.
To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in love draws significantly from the artist’s troubled previous personal experiences.
Among the evocative art works scattered along the path, History of a Hug emerges. It is a sculpture representing a white raven in the act of embracing a wooden plank: a reference to the artist's family history. On the one hand, the white raven stands for diversity and anomaly, two concepts that have always been a constant presence in Halilaj life, as he is Kosovar and homosexual. On the other hand, the entire project represents a nest, a shelter from the outside world that was created by Petrit Halilaj together with Álvaro Urbano, artist and his life partner.
Finally, as mentioned above, To a raven and hurricanes that from unknown places bring back smells of humans in love is the first exhibition at the Reina Sofía Museum after its closure due to Covid-19 health emergency. Thus, according to the artist, it is also possible to interpret the art project differently. The project would raise awareness about the fragility of our economic system and about the unsustainable paradigm of contemporary unlimited growth at the expense of nature. The virus had us face our vulnerability. In this regard, Halilaj’s nest is a refuge for mankind and stands for one’s hope for a better future.
Cover image: A un cuervo y los huracanes que, desde lugares desconocidos, traen de vuelta olores de humanos enamorados. Palacio de Cristal, 2020 Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Ph: ImagenSubliminal (Miguel de Guzmán y Rocío Romero).
Wrtitten by Giulia Cami