When Attitudes Become Form: Bern 1969/Venice 2013 @ Prada Foundation, Venice

When Attitudes Become Form is a re-enactment of Harald Szeeman's landmark exhibition that took place in the Bern Kunsthalle in 1969, translated as accurately as possible within the decorated rooms of the 18th century Ca' Corner della Regina. On the third floor, a constructed white cube based on the dimensions of the main gallery in Bern Kunsthalle and its adjacent rooms, has been inserted within the lavishly painted walls of the palazzo. The black and white ceramic tiles are imported, as are the wooden floors. Even the radiators are Bern originals.

It's a nostalgic re-enactment. A curatorial shrine which, alongside the archival material that is displayed in the basement level, becomes a 'museum' to Szeeman as much as to the artists involved. A display of letters between Szeeman and these artists documents the scale of this exhibition, organised before the internet. And humorously, a letter from Szeeman's horrified mother, which urges him to stop doing these 'gag' exhibitions.

Nostalgia aside, it is a pleasure to see some of these works. There's a Robert Morris felt piece. Three particularly dangerous looking Richard Serra steel props. Even a recreated Beuys fat piece (made, thankfully, using fresh margarine) nestled amongst defining Arte Povera works by Alighiero Boetti, Giovanni Anselmo and Gilberto Zorio.

Archival footage derived from a French news network's coverage of the exhibition features Lawrence Weiner (beer in one hand, chisel in the other) in conversation with a seemingly baffled reporter. His contribution, a 36" x 36" removal of plaster from a wall personifies this once reactionary approach to art making. Marked by the realisation that one no longer had to manufacture 'things' but could simply enact ideas that would become the work, turning 'attitudes' into 'form'.

It's a problematic exhibition, complicated by the historical context that does not translate into this re-enactment. But nonetheless, an ambitious reminder of a moment that set the conceptual horizon for many artists working today.