For the SS22 season, we have chosen the theme ‘Remember to Play’ involving Elena Quarestani, an editor and a journalist in a previous life and now Founder of Assab One, a non-conventional environment for research and expression. Here is the Elena Quarestani Interview:

"What does ‘Remember to Play’ mean to me? It is to be aware, to be curious and to look around oneself in order to absorb what is occurring without too many prejudices, gathering energy; which is not the easiest thing, nor is it obvious, but in the most varied environments. Travelling, my job – it is not exactly work, but more of a passion which has to do with Assab One and with art.

My absolutely favourite thing to do here is to set up exhibitions, which is a bit like laying out a newspaper, very similar to my past professional experience – creating and editing newspapers; put things together, incorporating images with texts, with photoshoots etc., it’s similar here, is it not?The fact of setting up a space, laying out a space, creating exhibitions, and always having to work with new people. In fact, I would say that it is above all this pleasure. There is also the aspect that this building has, one might say, in some way an organic relationship with what occurs here.

Interviewer: Because you make this organic relationship happen. Elena: Yes, of course, but in reality, it has been much more in dialogue with me over the last twenty years, with this space, with this activity. It is really like a relationship, one that ensures that everyone is in dialogue with everyone else. The building changes according to what occurs within its walls, and there are the meetings and a few encounters with certain people. However, relationships have been created with a few people that are associated with this building, due to their work, but also because of a sentimental attachment.

‘Remember to Play’ also means to not close oneself off, even though, as you know I am 70 years old, I continue to attend these meetings and remain alert. Obviously there is another aspect to do with relationships, emotional attachments, loving relationships, with my children, with my grandchildren and so on, this is also a bit ‘Remember to Play’, but they are the ones involving you."