From “0” to Infinity – The Unexpected Art of 70 Participants
A choral project born from 70 numbers, 70 voices, 70 individual perspectives.
Un progetto corale nato da 70 numeri, 70 voci, 70 sguardi individuali.
Created in 2010–2011 in collaboration with artist Paolo Grassi, the project involved 70 patients from the Cantonal Socio-Psychiatric Organization, across six centers throughout the Ticino region. It is the 150th element in the conceptual series From "0" to Infinity.
Each participant was assigned a unique number, which inspired a 40 × 30 cm canvas—a personal narrative of digits, marks, and color.
Though individually developed, the works were conceived as part of a whole and are now displayed within a custom-built structure designed to allow 360-degree viewing, preserving the collective memory of the experience.
The entire creative process was continuously overseen by artist Paolo Grassi, supported by his partner Marilena, who accompanied every stage of the work across all centers involved. Workshops took place in protected, inclusive settings where spontaneous gesture became a tool for care and shared expression.
This public installation is both a living archive and a testimony to how art can break down barriers—giving dignity and visibility to voices too often left unheard.
Realizzato nel 2010–2011 in collaborazione con l’artista Paolo Grassi, il progetto ha coinvolto 70 pazienti dell’Organizzazione Sociopsichiatrica Cantonale, distribuiti nelle sei sedi territoriali del Canton Ticino. Questo lavoro collettivo rappresenta il 150° elemento della serie concettuale From "0" to Infinity.
A ciascun partecipante è stato assegnato un numero unico, che ha ispirato la realizzazione di una tela 40 × 30 cm: una narrazione autentica fatta di cifre, tracce e colore. Le opere, frutto di percorsi individuali ma pensate come parte di un insieme, sono ora ospitate in una struttura appositamente concepita per permetterne la visione a 360 gradi, preservando la memoria collettiva dell’esperienza.
L’intero processo creativo è stato seguito con continuità dall’artista Paolo Grassi, coadiuvato dalla compagna Marilena, che ha accompagnato ogni fase del lavoro in tutte le sedi coinvolte. I laboratori, condotti in ambienti protetti e inclusivi, hanno trasformato il gesto spontaneo in un linguaggio di cura e relazione.
L’installazione pubblica è insieme archivio di vissuti e testimonianza concreta di come l’arte possa abbattere barriere, dando forma e dignità a chi troppo spesso resta invisibile.
From “0” to Infinity – The Unexpected Art of 70 Participants
Commissioned by: Organizzazione Sociopsichiatrica Cantonale (OSC), Mendrisio (CH)
From “0” to Infinity: 150th Element
Years: 2010–2011
Participants: 70 participants from 6 local OSC centers across Canton Ticino, 70 individual canvases for 70 unique numbered works
Material: Freely chosen technique by each participant, with the condition of long-term durability
Dimensions: Each panel: 40 × 30 cm
Overall structure: Designed to provide 360° visibility, specifically conceived to house and preserve all the works
Art direction: Project developed under the supervision of Paolo Grassi and Marilena Carenini, who were present throughout all production phases in the 6 different centers
jAll works presented here are part of the artistic project From “0” to Infinity by Paolo Grassi, exploring the relationship between numbers, time, and transformation through conceptual art.
Tutte le opere presentate fanno parte del progetto artistico From “0” to Infinity di Paolo
Grassi, che esplora il rapporto tra numeri, tempo e trasformazione attraverso l’arte concettuale.