Raphael Bottazzini: READ

The exhibition READ in Basel, Switzerland, presents new works by Swiss artist Raphael Bottazzini. The exhibition, centered on Raphael Bottazzini’s “Expectation Paintings,” explores the interplay between names, identity, and perception. Drawing from Shakespeare’s idea in “Romeo and Juliet” that names do not define the essence of things, the series challenges how we form expectations and judgments based on names and preconceptions rather than true understanding. Each painting features names—combining real people (e.g., Julia Roberts) with fictional characters (e.g., Clark Kent)—written in charcoal on large, textured canvases. These pairings create a tension that prompts viewers to question connections, identities, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction. Bottazzini’s work investigates how names shape our perceptions, trigger personal associations, and reflect the artist’s and viewer’s internal experiences, ultimately probing the construction of identity and its influence on our worldview. The exhibition also features Bottazzini’s works Garden Palette, Studio Chair, Blueprint Identity, and Bank & Stapel.

Raphael Bottazzini: READ. Apartment Exhibition. Basel (Switzerland), June 21, 2025