XHIXHA - Reflections in Mannheim

Technical precision, poetic lightness and the transformation of light, landscape and architecture into vibrant spaces of reflection: the internationally renowned sculptor Helidon Xhixha (born 1970 in Durrës, Albania) creates, through his monumental sculptures, a dynamic interplay of perception, light and emotion. 

His works are crafted from polished, reflective stainless steel, whose surfaces absorb, distort and reflect the surroundings in ever-changing perspectives. In this way, the viewer, the space and nature become part of the artwork. With great skill, Xhixha shapes and directs the light so that – depending on the viewer’s position and the angle of the light – a continuous interplay of shifting reflections unfolds. The light itself becomes an active element of his sculptures. Through his innovative use of the material, Xhixha develops an artistic concept based on the constant questioning of our perception of reality.

Helidon Xhixha is one of the leading figures in monumental sculpture. After completing his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana, he moved to Italy and studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan, where he developed a distinctive artistic style. Today, the artist lives and works between Milan and major international art centres. Xhixha’s works are featured worldwide in public spaces, museums and private collections. His installations have been exhibited in Milan, Dubai, New York, Florence and Lugano, amongst other places. He is particularly well known for his large-scale installation ‘Iceberg’, which was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2016 and explores themes such as the environment, climate change and the fragility of nature.