An exhibition from the artist from Bergamo hits Prague, a spiritual pop mix of architecture and industry
The economic crisis is on the front pages of newspapers all around the world. No one is surprised any longer, the concern remains latent in readers, like a historical enemy. We have been inundated with opinions and predictions from economists, scholars, journalists and traders. But there is a viewing angle that is obscured from our daily routine, a brilliant and intriguing idea: how to describe the world in crisis from the perspective of contemporary art?
An Italian artist does so, Manuel Bonfanti, born in 1974, Bergamo, with a CV already full of personal exhibitions in Italy and abroad, from Russia to Canada. He does this by coming to Prague and beginning to impress the reality of the Bohemian capital on his canvases.
“The landscape beyond the crisis” is the title of the exhibition sponsored by the Italian Business Center in Prague, on display in the splendid rooms of the Italian Institute of Culture, in its historic location in the upper part of the district of Malá Strana (at Vlašská 34). The exhibition is a reflection of the background in Prague, a fascinating mix of logos, advertising, pop symbols in the limelight of the capital, its landscapes, its ancient stones. While walking in the old baroque chapel of the Institute, for example, shifting the focus to the right and left down the aisle, we pass depictions of the statues of Karlův Most (Charles Bridge, an architectural marvel over the Vltava) sandwiched between big brands, designer brands, in a game between the grey and color, between past and present. Bonfanti records the urban environment, with a particular interest in the aspect of communication and advertising, for the language of business, with an eye of attention for Italian companies in the architectural and historical cityscapes. The depictions are in various styles, from oil on canvas to mixed techniques, about fifty works, mostly medium and large sizes.
The exhibition, which opens to the public in late May, has adorned the historic Chapel of the Institute, on the occasion of the celebrations of the Italian Republic, and did not fail to attract the attention of many prestigious guests present. The exhibition is sponsored by the Italian Ambassador Pasquale D’Avino, the Italian Cultural Institute and the non-profit organization Assis.
The exposition, which will be officially unveiled on the 25th of June, will remain open until the next 31st of July.
by Giuseppe Picheca