StraightUp@ExtraDry

ExtraDry is an exhibition of video art born from the desire to draw contemporary art out from its usual spaces and onto the walls of Dry Milano.

Following the ExtraDry project curated by Peep-Hole for three editions from 2013-2016, Case Chiuse arrives at Dry with a new format and presents StraightUp@ExtraDry, an award for young artists.

In step with the ideas of the founders of Dry, StraightUp@ExtraDry wants to give visibility to the creativity emerging from the extremely current research of young artists expressing themselves through video. As well as giving visibility, the award is designed to support their future research by the assignment of three different awards and the acquisition of the winning work.

The name “Straight Up” is a blend of English slang and bar vocabulary. It implies something honest and fresh that aims for the top, just like the synergy we wish to create between the award, the artists and their future.

Dry is defined by its strong contemporary feel. It offers the very best quality while remaining accessible and informal, making it an ideal location to exhibit video art and create a new kind of synergy between the work and the public. With the launch of StraightUp@ExtraDry and its commitment to art project since 2013, Dry proves once again that the space is ideal to exhibit videos and offers a chance to show contemporary art to a wider public.

During the first edition were presented the videos of Jacopo Rinaldi, Ruben Spini, Paolo Brambilla, Natália Trejbalová and Valentina Furian. Demonstrating great enthusiasm for all the works of the artists, the jury – composed by Ilaria Bonacossa, director of Artissima, Paolo Zani, founder of the Galleria Zero, and two of Dry’s founding partners, the collectors Bernardo Attolico and Tiziano Vudafieri – assigned the prizes taking into account the globality of the videos shown by each artist, with particular attention to thematic, stylistic and formal research. Jacopo Rinaldi result later winner, Ruben Spini and Valentina Furian second in a tie.

The selection committee for the StraightUp@ExtraDry award consists of Simone Bertuzzi and Simone Trabucchi, the Invernomuto duo, and Paola Clerico, creator of Case Chiuse project. Coordination and curatorial assistance by Ginevra D’oria.