The Fondation Valmont presents Telemachus. The Quest for Self, the second chapter in a trilogy of contemporary art exhibitions inspired by Homer’s Odyssey. Following ULISSE. Siamo tutti eroi, which centered on the hero’s external journey, this new exhibition turns inward, exploring the emotional and existential voyage of Telemachus—son of Ulysses—through the lens of father-son relationships and the search for identity.
Featuring the work of four artists—Jakub Flejšar, Pavel Roučka, Maxence Guillon, and Didier Guillon—the exhibition weaves a deeply personal and intergenerational dialogue. Two artistic father-son pairs offer unique perspectives on heritage, separation, and self-knowledge, mirroring Telemachus’s journey to rediscover his father and define his own place in the world.
The genesis of the exhibition was a week-long creative residency at Villa Valentine on Hydra, Greece, one of the four Résidences Valmont. There, in a context rich with historical and mythological resonance, the artists collaborated with curators Luca Berta, Francesca Giubilei, and Valentina Secco. At Palazzo Bonvicini, each artist has transformed a room into a site-specific installation, creating immersive environments that echo the emotional and narrative themes of The Odyssey.
Through works that blend mythology and modernity, the “Telemachus. The Quest for Self” exhibition explores themes of legacy, transformation, and self-discovery. It is a poetic journey that reflects how the ties of family continue to shape our identities across time, offering a moving meditation on growth, absence, and reconciliation.
Website: www.fondationvalmont.com
Location: Fondation Valmont, Palazzo Bonvicini, Venice
Schedule: until Nov. 22, 2025
