Things offer shelter to those standing by them, in their shadow, atoned with pain and their own mortal essence. A work offers shelter to the essence of things and people. It places them at its side. This is how a work exposes the world to be inhabited again.

(Andrzej Przywara, in Mirosław Bałka. April / My body cannot do everything I ask for, Galeria Foskal Warszawa, 7 March – 5 April 1991)

Galleria Raffaella Cortese is pleased to dedicate the space in Albisola to the presentation of the historical work 2x(30x15x8), 193x60x30, ø6x21 (1993) by Mirosław Bałka, part of the early 90s series My Body Cannot Do Everything I Ask For.

A sculpture, a profound exploration of human limits: in this series of works, the

artist investigates the fragility of the body — both physical and psychological — and

its intimate connection with matter, memory, and identity, weaving together the relationship between silence, emptiness, presence, and absence.

The evocative sculpture unfolds in the space through three distinct sections, each embodying a physical presence and symbolic resonance.

It begins with a threshold, a liminal space that marks a boundary — both tangible and conceptual — and invites us into the narrative of the work.

Next, a structure resembling a bed, which welcomes two invisible beams of light, symbolically aligned like a spine, enveloped under a steel blanket, balancing between protection and concealment.

Finally, a container that evokes the shadow of a flower or an urn. It suggests a sense of finality, like “the last date at the end of a sentence.” This element becomes a metaphor for closure, the remnants of a journey, or traces of an existence.

With a sculptural language rooted in minimalism and symbolism, Bałka infuses each element with layers of personal and universal meanings. His work invites reflection on the vulnerability of the human body and the imperceptible nature of inner experiences, offering a space where silence speaks and shadows provide refuge.