Not Vital
Leading The Way, 2013
The first of these sculptures was a gift for Ai Weiwei, a neighbour of Vital's in the Caochangdi area of Beijing, where both artists are based. As has been already witnessed in recent times, it seems clear that in many respects Ai shall be Leading the Way for China in years to come. Here, the cast stainless steel staff stands as a marker of relationships across politics, borders and friends.
Born in 1948 in Sent, a village in the Lower Engadin region of Switzerland, Not Vital trained as an artist in both Paris and Rome. This marked the beginning of decades of travel, having bases as diverse as New York, USA; Cairo, Egypt; and Lucca, Italy, amongst many others.
Vital currently divides his time between studios in Sent; Beijing, China; Agadez, Niger; and Patagonia, Chile. Past and current projects include a sculpture park in his home village of Sent, a series of building sculptures in Agadez and the island of NotOna in Patagonia.
A lifetime of traversing the globe, constantly engaging with local cultures and makers, has made an indelible mark on his practice. An endless curiosity for engagement with new experiences, places and people remains at the heart of Vital's work.