In an 18th century palazzo by the Rialto market along the Canal Grande the new show Art or Sound at the Prada Foundation is showcasing art works exploring music and sound. The exhibition is curated by long term Prada collaborator Germano Celant and will be open for the duration of the architecture biennale until November.

The building itself is exquisitely detailed and is being completely restored. The second floor piano nobile is open to the public for the first time. In a space like this there is a theatrical aspect, where the exhibited works blend with the setting – a very different experience from the traditional clinical gallery space.

With a range of works from the 16th century, including instruments, paintings and clocks to musical installations of the 1960s and the present day, the show explores formal, sensory and abstract qualities around music. One of the central works is Jannis Kounellis‘ performance piece from 1972 Sensa tilulo. Da invent are sul post (Untitled. To be Invented on the Spot), which is recreated here to a score of Igor Stravinsky with a dancer, a violinist and a painting. It’s a delicate piece on repetition and improvisation and was presented at Documenta 5 in Kassel, which was curated by Harald Szeemann. SEE VIDEO