About
Biography
Deborah Ligorio is an Italian, Berlin-based interdisciplinary artist and designer whose practice integrates situated knowledge and research. The form of storytelling distinctive to her early video works has developed into a research-driven practice focused on articulating and addressing complex contemporary concerns.
She has exhibited in major international biennials, including Manifesta 7 and the Sharjah Biennale 8, and was a finalist for the Premio Furla and recipient of the 15th Quadriennale di Roma award.
Her work has been supported by institutions like the Berlin Senate and the Italre - GAI Special Fund for the MoMA PS1 Italian Studio Program. She has participated in numerous residencies internationally including the Antonio Ratti Foundation, Art OMI, the MAK Center in Los Angeles, and Künstlerhäuser Worpswede.
Her projects have been presented in solo and group exhibitions at institutions including Urbane Künste Ruhr, SAVVY Contemporary (Berlin), Neue Nationalgalerie (Berlin), ICA (London), Hangar Bicocca (Milan), Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo (Turin), Kunsthaus Graz, and Triennale Milano.
She is the author of Survival Kits 2013, (Sternberg Press).
She has been teaching block seminars at SFSIA (Berlin 2017), and University of Cologne, Institut für Kunst (2019). Deborah Ligorio has been engaged in a practice that has taken the form of multiple projects: DadaAda (2015-16), [The Eponym] (2014-21), and SomeSeeds (2025-ongoing).
Exhibitions and Practices
2025
Traditional methods of water collection and situated knowledge. SomeSeeds, MUSE Museo delle Scienze, Trento, IT, curated by Eva Struhal and Denis Viva for the University of Trento, Carlo Maiolini and Monica Ronchini for MUSE, as part of Rigenerazioni: scenari antichi per un nuovo antropocene
Workshop
2021
SomaTheory – Porous Bodies: On Interdependence and the Illusion of Autonomy [The Eponym], Online, Kunsthochschule Kassel & AdBK Nuremberg, curated by Univ. Prof. Annette Weisser and Univ. Prof. Lena Ziese
Workshop
Ruhr, Ding: Klima, Silbersee II, Bochum, DE, curated by Urbane Künste Ruhr
Group exhibition
2019
Interfacing Care + Ecology > Intra-Acting [The Eponym], Institut für Kunst und Kunsttheorie, Cologne, DE, curated by Univ. Prof. Karina Nimmerfall
Seminar
2018
Palermo [The Eponym], Caffè Internazionale, Palermo, It, curated by Stefania Galegati
Workshop
2017
Collective Care. Art and the Politics of Collectivity, Spike Art Quarterly, Berlin, DE, as part of Saas-Fee Summer Institute of Art
Seminar
A Somatheory Encounter with M. Górska and D. Ligorio – Speaking Feminism – Exercise #7, SAVVY Contemporary, Berlin, curated by Elena Agudio and Federica Bueti
Workshop
Habits of Care, Blackwood Gallery, University of Toronto, Mississauga, CA, curated by Helena Reckitt
Group exhibition
Pane per Poveri, accompanying program for documenta14, Athen, GR, curated by Stefania Palumbo
Group exhibition
2016
Care as Affirmative Practice [The Eponym], L'Atelier-ksr, Berlin, DE, curated by The Institute for Endotic Research, as part of Lorenzo Sandoval's solo exhibition 'Deep Surface'
Workshop
Sky Traffic with Stefan Heidenreich and Deborah Ligorio [The Eponym], Universität der Künste, Berlin, DE, curated by Boaz Levin and Vera Tollmann, as part of Research Center for Proxy Politics
Workshop
Soon Enough, Insitu, Berlin, DE, curated by Guest-curated by Matilde Cerruti Quara and Sorana Serban, as part of Project Space Festival
Group exhibition
Susy Culinski & Friends, Fanta Spazio, Milan, IT, as part of Beatrice Marchi's exhibition
Group exhibition
2015
A Guided Meditation [The Eponym], Bona-Peiser-Bibliothek, Berlin, DE, curated by A Public Library, as part of Lange Buchnacht in der Oranienstraße
Experiential session
Accessories in Algorithmic Gardens [The Eponym] with Angela Balzano, Camilla Monga, Zoe Romano, Francesca Minini, Milan, IT, as part of Deborah Ligorio's solo exhibition
Workshop
Accessories in Algorithmic Gardens, Francesca Minini, Milan, IT
Solo exhibition
Salon für Ästhetische Experimente, Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW), Berlin, DE, as part of Alex Martinis Roe's Our Future Network
Experiential session
Ce l'ho / Mi manca, Museo Mandralisca, Cefalù, PA, IT, curated by Agata Polizzi
Group exhibition
2014
What can you Bodily think? [The Eponym], Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin, DE, as part of Festival of Future Nows
Workshop
Tool: Science Fiction [The Eponym], Archive Kabinett, Berlin, DE, as part of The Public School
Workshop
Pilot [The Eponym], Archive Kabinett, Berlin, DE, curated by Fiona Geuß , as part of The Public School
Workshop
Closer to Gaza, Kuehlhaus Berlin, berlin, DE, as part of Daniel Gal / Assaf Gruber / Benefiz-Auktion
Group exhibition
2013
Artists' Film Club: Walking Sideways, ICA, London, GB, curated by Elsa Coustou, Lucia Garavaglia and Alana Kushnir
Screening
2012
Ceci n'est pas du cinéma!, Castello di Rivoli with Museo Nazionale del Cinema, Turin, IT, curated by Marcella Beccaria, Andrea Bellini, Francesco Bernardelli, Beatrice Merz, Marianna Vecellio
Screening
Fuoriclasse, GAM Galleria D'Arte Moderna and PAC, Milan, IT, curated by Luca Cerizza
Group exhibition
Desertmed, nGbK Neue Gesellschaft für Bildende Kunst, Berlin, DE, curated by Arbeitsgruppe Fabian Bechtle, Wilfried Kuehn, Armin Linke, Marina Sorbello, Antje Weitzel
Group exhibition
Brot und Salz, Sommer & Kohl,, Berlin, DE
Group exhibition
Idea is the object, D'Amelio Gallery, New York, US
Group exhibition
2011
Public Private Partnership, FPAC, Palermo, IT, curated by Laura Barreca and Francesco Pantaleone
Solo exhibition
Escursione Meridionale, Sommer & Kohl , Berlin, DE
Solo exhibition
Animate, Pori Art Museum and Turku Art Museum, Pori, FIN, curated by Anna Daneri
Screening
The Smithsonian Effect, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City, US, curated by Jill Dawsey, UMFA Acting Chief Curator
Group exhibition
Back Home, Complesso Monumentale Santa Scolastica, Bari, IT, curated by Marilena Di Tursi and Antonella Marino
Group exhibition
Seeing Things, Kleine Humboldt Galerie, Berlin, DE, curated by Katharina Lee Chichester
Group exhibition
From Berlin, Martin Asbæk Gallery, Copenhagen, DK
Group exhibition
2010
When Angels Forgot To Tell, Kunstverein Arnsberg, Arnsberg, DE, curated by Vlado Velkov
Two-person exhibition
Videoarbeiten, with Carola Spadoni, Italienisches Kulturinstitut, Berlin, DE
Two-person exhibition
Poi non così diverso, Francesca Minini, Milan, IT
Solo exhibition
Ibrido, PAC Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea, Milan, IT, curated by Giacinto Di Pietrantonio and Francesco Garutti
Group exhibition
videoREPORT ITALIA 2008_09, Galleria Comunale d'Arte Contemporanea di Monfalcone, Monfalcone, IT, curated by Andrea Bruciati
Group exhibition
| ITaliens | junge Kunst in der Botschaft, Italienische Botschaft, Berlin, DE, curated by Alessandra Pace and Marina Sorbello
Group exhibition
The Berlin Box, unsthalle Andratx/CCA, Andratx, Mallorca, ES, curated by Friederike Nymphius
Group exhibition
2009
All'Orizzonte Degli Eventi, Sommer & Kohl, Berlin, DE
Solo exhibition
Zeigen Eine Audiotour, Temporäre Kunsthalle, Berlin, DE, curated by Karin Sander
Group exhibition
Fuori Centro, Hangar Bicocca, Milan, IT, curated by Chiara Bertola and artist Rä di Martino
Group exhibition
Décolté - Décoltage, The Forgotten Bar / Galerie im Regierungsviertel, Berlin, DE
Group exhibition
Altri Discorsi, Careof DOCVA, Fabbrica del Vapore, Milano, IT, curated by Valentina Angeleri and Matteo Lucchetti
Group exhibition
WOHNUNGSAUSSTELLUNG / IV, Gerichtstrasse 52a, Berlin, DE, curated by Jaro Straub
Group exhibition
Intemperie 2da Bienal Del Fin Del Mundo, The Hangar, Antigua Usina, Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, ARG, curated by Alfons Hug
Group exhibition
Moralische Fantasien, Museum Morsbroich, Leverkusen, DE, curated by Dorothee Messmer and Raimar Stange
Group exhibition
17th Rencontres Internationales, Reina Sofia National Museum, Madrid, ES
Screening
Stage of Desire, Arthur Boskamp-Stiftung, Hohenlockstedt, DE, curated by Petra Reichensperger
Screening
2008
Principle Hope, Manifesta 7, Manifattura Tabacchi, Rovereto, curated by dam Budak, as part of European Biennial of Contemporary Art
Group exhibition
XV Quadriennale di Roma, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, curated by Chiara Bertola, Lorenzo Canova, Bruno Corà, Daniela Lancioni, Claudio Spadoni
Group exhibition
Pan/Palazzo delle Arti Napoli. Video Review - Art and Documentation, Italian Cultural Institute, New York, US, curated by Julia Draganovic and Marina Vergiani
Group exhibition
Il Sublime è ora, Galleria Civica di Modena, IT, Modena, IT, curated by Marco De Micheli
Group exhibition
You Just Keep Me Hanging On, Sommer & Kohl, Berlin, DE, curated by Caroline Eggel and Christiane Rekade
Group exhibition
2007
Sharjah Biennale 8. Still Life: Art, Ecology and the Politics of Change, Sharjah Art Museum , Sharjah, UAE, curated by Mohammed Kazem, Eva Scharrer and Jonathan Watkins
Group exhibition
Video.it, Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti, Turin, IT, curated by Francesco Bernardelli, Mario Gorni, and Francesco Poli
Group exhibition
Quantity as Quality, Kunsthalle Exnergasse, Wien, AT, curated by Fanny Gonella
Group exhibition
Vulcano, Francesca Minini, Milan, IT
Solo exhibition
Flussi, Ambient Tour, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin, IT, curated by Francesco Bonami
Solo exhibition
As It Screams Just Please Love Me, FormContent, London, UK, curated by Caterina Riva
Group exhibition
2006
Pause, Stazione Leopolda, Firenze, IT, curated by Matteo Chini
Group exhibition
Milano.Melbourne.Milano, Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces, Melbourne, AU, curated by Chiara Agnello and Roberta Tenconi
Group exhibition
Bird's Eye View, Bürofriedrich, Berlin, DE, curated by Luca Cerizza
Solo exhibition
2005
Screen Fields, Session House, Tokyo, JP, curated by Saskia Wendland and Masayo Kajimura
Group exhibition
M City - European Cityscapes, Kunsthaus Graz, Graz, AT, curated by Marco De Michelis
Group exhibition
Groupshowboard, Kunstpavillon Innsbruck, Innsbruck, AT, curated by Catrin Bolt, Oliver Croy, Robert Gfader, Marlene Haring and Deborah Ligorio
Group exhibition
Failure, Korridor, Berlin, DE, curated by Fanny Gonella and Sabine Schmidt
Group exhibition
Re-Process, Museum of Applied Arts, Belgrade, SRB
Group exhibition
Incursioni, Adriano Olivetti Foundation, Rome, IT, curated by Luca VItone
Group exhibition
U - Move , Galleria Comunale d'Arte Contemporanea, Monfalcone, IT, curated by Andrea Bruciati and Elena Volpato
Group exhibition
Art - Architecture of Change, Isola Art Center a La Stecca degli Artigiani, Milan, IT, curated by Marco Scotini
Group exhibition
Imaginary is Potential, Halle Für Kunst, Lüneburg, DE, curated by Henrikke Nielsen
Group exhibition
e-flux video rental, KW Institute for Contemporary Art, as part of a project by Anton Vidokle and Julietta Aranda, invited by Ariane Beyn
Screening
Fallow you Shadow, Villa Delle Rose, Bologna, IT, curated by Dede Auregli and Chiara Bertola
Group exhibition
Flicker , Project 0047, Berlin, DE, curated by Jan Christiansen
Solo exhibition
Strange. Familiar. Places with Mats Adelman, Signal, Malmö, SWE
Two-person exhibition
2004
On Air, Galleria Comunale di Monfalcone, Monfalcone, Gorizia, IT, curated by Andrea Bruciati and Angela Crippa
Group exhibition
Untitled, Greifswalderstrasse 219, Berlin, DE, curated by Tilman Wendland
Group exhibition
It’s Time to Stay Home and Get Some Audience, Mackey Apartments, Los Angeles, CA, US, as part of Residency Program Final Projects
Group exhibition
2003
3 Fireplaces And 2 Bathtubs, MAK Center at the Schindler House, Los Angeles, US, curated by Catrin Bolt, Oliver Croy, Robert Gfader, Marlene Haring and Deborah Ligorio
Group exhibition
Re-Location, Superstudio, Milan, IT, curated by Caroline Corbetta
Group exhibition
2002
Exit, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin, IT, curated by Francesco Bonami
Group exhibition
Fiction & Form, de Appel Filmmuseum, Amsterdam, NL, curated by Mai Abu ElDahab, Francesco Bernardelli, Nikola Dietrich, Edit Molnár, Nataša Petrešin, and Başak Şenova, as part of Haunted by detail Film and Video Programme
Screening
2001
Untitled, Galleria Comunale d'Arte Contemporanea, Castel San , BO, IT, curated by Gigiotto del Vecchio
Group exhibition
Strategies Against Architecture, Fondazione Teseco, Pisa, IT, curated by Luca Cerizza
Group exhibition
Expandex, Auditorium San Carlo, Milan, IT, curated by Generazione Media
Screening
Play, Open Space, Milan, IT, curated by Gigiotto del Vecchio
Group exhibition
2000
Metropolis, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, IT, curated by Paola Magni
Group exhibition
1999
FWD>>Passaggi Invisibili, Palazzo delle Papesse Centro Arte Contemporanea , Siena, IT, curated by Daria Filardo and Arabella Natalini
Group exhibition
Incursioni, Link project, Bologna, IT, curated by Luca Vitone
Group exhibition
Nonlateral Hypothesis, Gallery 16, San Francisco, CA, US, curated by David Hunt
Group exhibition
1998
Art Omi Alumni Residency Exhibition, Art Omi International Arts Center, Ghent, NY, US, curated by Franklin Sirmans
Group exhibition
Subway, Missori Underground Station, Milan, IT, curated by Roberto Pinto
Group exhibition
1997
Generazione Media, Palazzo della Triennale, Milan, IT, curated by Francesca Alessandrini, Sonia Campagnola, Paolo Darra, Laura Ghirardelli, and Federica Rossi
Group exhibition
Zone, c/o Graffio, Bologna, curated by Guido Molinari
Solo exhibition
Fuori Uso, Mercato Globale, Ex-Colonia Stella Maris, Montesilvano, Pescara, IT, curated by Giacinto Di Pietrantonio and Laura Cherubini
Group exhibition
Arena, Mel Bookstore, Rome, IT, curated by Cristiana Perrella and Paola Magni
Group exhibition
Aperto Italia 97, Giovane Arte e Critica, Trevi Flash Art Museum, Trevi, PG, IT, as part of a section curated by Luca Cerizza
Group exhibition
1995
Aria di Sosta, with Alice Bonfanti, Openspace, Milan, IT, curated by Roberto Pinto
Solo exhibition
1994
We're moving, Viafarini, Milan, IT, curated by Roberto Daolio and Alberto Garutti
Group exhibition
Talks and Presentations
2021
Auf Sand Gebaut, Wandersalon #27 a conversation between Deborah Ligorio, Michel de Brown, Vlado Velkov and Britta Peters, Online Event
Artist talk
2014
Survival Kits, The Showroom, London, UK
Book presentation
Survival Kit, Archive Kabinet, Berlin, DE
Book presentation
2011
Marathon, Institut für Raumexperimente , Berlin, DE, as part of An educational research project by Olafur Eliasson in collaboration with the Berlin University of the Arts.
Artist talk
The Inadequate, Collective Reading from Lettere a Nessuno by A. Moresco, 54th Venice Biennale, Spanish Pavilion, Venice, IT, as part of Dora García's The Inadequate, hosts Barbara Casavecchia and Vincenzo Latronico
Collective reading
2009
Donut to Spiral, The Building, Berlin, DE, as part of e-flux video rental in conversation with Ariane Beyn
Artist talk
1998
Fast Forward, Brown University, Department of Italian Studies, Providence, RI, US, curated by Giovanna Amadasi
Artist talk
Residencies
2011
Residency, FPAC, Palermo, IT
2008
Workshop Residency, Künstlerhäuser Worpswede, Worpswede, DE
2003
MAK Artists and Architects in Residence, Mak Center, Los Angeles, US
1998
Residency Program, Art Omi, International Arts Center, Ghent, NY, US
1995
Artists' Research Laboratory (CSAV), Visiting Professor Joseph Kosuth, Fondazione Antonio Ratti, Como, IT
Awards and Honors
2008
Premio Arte Giovane, 15a Quadriennale d’Arte, Rome, IT
2005
Furla Art Award V (Shortlisted), Fondazione Furla
2004
Italre - GAI Special Fund, MoMA PS1 Italian Studio Program
2003
Arbeitsstipendium, Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft Forschung und Kultur, Berlin, DE
Film und Videoproduktion, Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft Forschung und Kultur, Berlin, DE
Education
1996
Master’s Degree, Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan, IT
Erasmus exchange, Université de Paris 8, Paris, FR
1993–1996
Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan, IT
1991–1993
Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna, Bologna, IT