Scenes in Specimens
Enrico Minguzzi’s ‘Archipelago’ fuses art and science, showcasing the mirroring islands of the Philippines.
Words Luis Joaquin Gregorio
Photo courtesy of Enrico Minguzzi
October 18, 2025
Altro Mondo Arte Contemporanea unveiled its latest exhibition, featuring the work of renowned Italian artist Enrico Minguzzi in his much-anticipated solo show, ‘Archipelago.’
At the heart of the exhibit is Minguzzi’s captivating installation where art meets science—an intersection explored through his use of 107 Petri dishes filled with pigments suspended in epoxy resin. These pieces form the centerpiece of ‘Archipelago,’ each dish representing a unique geography, inspired by and mirroring the islands of the Philippines.
Corpo d’aria, 2025, oil on gold leaf on epoxy resin on canvas, cm 100 x 80-1
The exhibit invites viewers to reflect on the vessels of culture, history, and identity that shape the nation. While depicting a fragmented landscape, Minguzzi’s work reveals a reverberating network of interdependence, offering a reimagined view of how the country’s archipelagic form emerged into civilization across generations.
Surrounding the central installation is a collection of Minguzzi’s paintings and ceramics; visual evolutions of the Archipelago concept. These works bloom into intricate, grand configurations that are both scientifically intriguing and artistically mesmerizing.
Fior tormento, 2025, oil on gold leaf anc epoxy resin on canvas, cm 200 x 250-1
Minguzzi refers to the Petri dish works as beginnings, symbolizing the roots and origin of a nation. The surrounding artworks, in turn, embody its growth and transformation through time.
The exhibit space resembles a laboratory, one that constructs art through the lens of scientific inquiry. Within it, Minguzzi crafts poetic symbolism from the genetic mutation of matter, turning his work into a compelling allegory of life, growth, and identity.
Un pensiero che sfugge a una forma concreta, 2025, oil on gold leaf and epoxy resin on canvas, cm 100 x 80-1
Archipelago offers a highly imaginative and immersive environment that resonates with viewers’ understanding of nationhood and its foundations. While the installation may not harbor literal life, its peculiarity and transformative essence tell a lucid story of organisms, and life itself.
The exhibition will be held at Altro Mondo Creative Space in Makati City, it will run until November 22, 2025.
