“The gallery . . . has the pleasure of informing you that in agreement with Marco Formento, one of his pieces will be on view for the entire season.” This message is repeated on each invitation, for every gallery that has hosted Formento’s work. (It would be misleading to say “shown” instead of “hosted,” since the exhibition of the work precedes the opening.) The project begins with the announcement and follows every aspect of the art system—the distribution of the work, its viewing, and its sale.

Without any subversive intention or pronounced ideological agenda, Formento and Sossella revive the