Isaac Julien in Italy: 'Museum Dreams' at Gres Art 671, Bergamo

Isaac Julien: 'Museum Dreams' at Gres Art 671

When: April 10 - October 4, 2026
Where: Gres Art 671, via San Bernardino 141, Bergamo, Italy

The exhibition "Museum Dreams" is the first large-scale Italian retrospective dedicated to Isaac Julien, a leading figure in contemporary visual art. The show converts the former industrial space of Gres Art 671 into a multisensory route combining moving images, sculptural works, photography and archival materials.

What to expect

• Five film installations that trace more than thirty years of Julien's career;
• An exhibition layout designed for non-linear viewing and free visitor movement;
• Works addressing recurring themes in Julien's practice: desire, social memory and layered narratives;
• Large-scale staging conceived specifically for the monumental architecture of the former industrial site.

The presentation privileges perception: visitors are encouraged to move among multiple screens, sound environments and installations, constructing their own interpretations of the narratives on view. Julien often challenges traditional cinematic linearity, proposing instead a 'poetics of looking' that rewards attentive, exploratory viewing.

The venue and its mission

Gres Art 671 is a cultural center born from the conversion of an industrial complex, committed to urban regeneration through art. Supported by Gruppo Italmobiliare and Fondazione Pesenti, the center has hosted significant international exhibitions and leverages its imposing structure for ambitious artistic projects.

Practical information

• Dates: 2026-04-10 – 2026-10-04
• Address: Gres Art 671, via San Bernardino 141, Bergamo, Italy
• For opening hours, ticketing and guided visits, check the venue's official channels or contact the cultural center directly.

This retrospective offers a concentrated opportunity to engage with Isaac Julien's work in a setting designed to emphasize the relationship between artwork, space and viewer.