At Frieze London this year, Marco Capaldo steps beyond the runway to curate his first-ever exhibition, Memories of the Future, held at No. 9 Cork Street. The creative director of British luxury brand 16Arlington is known for his sophisticated approach to fashion, but here, he explores a different kind of aesthetic expression: the evolving, elusive nature of memory.
Curated in collaboration with the international gallery Almine Rech, Memories of the Future brings together 14 artists working across a spectrum of mediums. From the polaroids of Andy Warhol to the tactile sculptures of Jesse Pollock, the exhibition highlights Capaldo’s profound connection to contemporary art and showcases his eye for the unexpected. With a lineup that includes emerging UK-based talents such as Rhea Dillon, Henry Curchod, and Remi Ajani, alongside established figures like Warhol and John Giorno, the exhibition is a seamless blend of the iconic and the new.
Capaldo's personal investment in the theme is palpable. The exhibition concept, inspired by a piece Rafael Pavarotti penned for Vogue Italia in 2021, reflects on memory’s fluidity—how it isn’t locked in the past but continually reshapes our present and future. "Polaroids capture a moment in time, but in their blurriness, they also embody the nature of memories themselves," Capaldo explains, pointing to Warhol's polaroids as a poignant part of the show. The exhibition opens with two studies of orchids—a deeply personal tribute to Capaldo’s late partner, Kikka Cavenati, who shared a deep admiration for Warhol.
Beyond the Warhols, visitors can experience a variety of works that challenge conventional representations of memory. Francesca Woodman’s haunting photography evokes a dreamlike quality, while John Giorno’s seminal installation, Dial-A-Poem, invites audiences into an interactive, spoken-word experience. The inclusion of Jesse Pollock’s towering sculptures—also featured in 16Arlington’s recent SS25 collection—further blurs the lines between fashion and art, merging the sensory with the conceptual.
For Capaldo, curating Memories of the Future offered a shift from the fast-paced world of seasonal fashion collections. The year-long process allowed him to connect with the art world more deeply, forming relationships with the artists involved. "I’ve always loved beautiful things,” he says. “It’s amazing to see the world through their eyes and how they channel their emotional connection into their work."
This interplay of personal memory, artistic interpretation, and fashion sensibility makes Memories of the Future more than just an exhibition—it’s a reflection of Capaldo’s broader creative vision. Just as he brings the avant-garde to the forefront of British luxury fashion, here, he does the same for contemporary art. With Memories of the Future, Capaldo invites us all to reconsider the role of memory in shaping who we are—and who we might become.
Memories of the Future runs until October 19, 2024, at Frieze No. 9 Cork Street, London.
