Fondazione Somaini
The exhibition, which highlights the recent discovery of a work by Somaini at the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo, now permanently exhibited in the Sala dei Milanesi, is part of the celebrations of the ninetieth anniversary of the birth of Enrico Crispolti, curator of the Catalog raisonné of the sculpture of artist.
The theme of the “sacred” is present in Somaini’s work within his sculptural work which arises from a reflection on processes of regeneration, transformation, death and rebirth, in which the mystery and dimension of an ineliminable vitality is central. With respect to the different phases of his work in which subjects of sacred origin emerge, also due to symbols activated by him independently or included in projects and works commissioned, we intend to focus on this occasion on two groups of works particularly inherent to the idea of “sacred” to which Somaini feels akin.
The exhibition is divided into two monographic rooms dedicated to the series of Martìri (1958-1961), which use the motif of the cross, and to the Grande Retablo della vita e della morte, an installation created between 1967 and 1968.
The Martìri series, complementary to the contemporary series of the Feriti (1959-1962), is to be understood as an existential response to the post-war cultural climate, which animated the creativity of many artists of those years. The exhibition presents a dozen selected works from this cycle, including large ones, coming from the Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo (Martirio IX. Croce consunta, 1961, bronze), from the Banca Popolare di Sondrio (Martirio X. Croce grande quadra, 1961, iron) and by some important private collectors, such as the heirs of the architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni (Martirio V. Quadrato, 1959, bronze in lead bath), with whom the artist collaborated closely for over twenty years. In these works Somaini systematically omits any mention of the figure of the crucifix, entrusting the task of transmitting the existential message to the void that often takes its place and to the fineness of the modeling.
Also exhibited for the first time is the complete version of the Grande Retablo della vita e della morte, a set of spatially arranged sculptures, which is configured as a primordial place of worship, begun in 1967 and left unfinished. The precise reconstruction of this installation was possible thanks to the recent discovery of a letter from Somaini addressed to Enrico Crispolti in 1979. The critic had in fact the opportunity to present some elements already in the Homage to Somaini in Alternative Attuali of 1968 in L ‘Aquila and its almost complete version in the retrospective held in Mantua in 1977. Among the works, in addition to those from the artist’s archive, also the Piccolo Trono I. La Fonte (1967, nickel-plated bronze) from the Crispolti collection , which he inserted in the volume dedicated to Eroticism in abstract art in 1977.
The itinerary is completed by a third room which presents drawings, photographs and documents that delve deeper into the theme addressed in the two monographic rooms.
The exhibition, curated by Luisa Somaini, Francesco Tedeschi and Chiara Rampoldi, is accompanied by a catalog published by Silvana Editoriale, with essays by Francesco Tedeschi and Micol Forti and a critical anthology.
The exhibition, organized with the contribution of Banca Popolare di Sondrio, has the patronage of the Municipality of Milan.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a day of studies hosted, in the first months of next year, in the spaces of the Veneranda Fabbrica of the Duomo of Milan, coordinated by Francesco Tedeschi and Fulvio Irace with the collaboration of Elisa Mantia and Michele Aversa, aimed at deepening the Somaini’s activity in the field of religious art, carried out not only for new churches, which will allow citizens to be brought closer to the artist’s work in the territory.
Opening hours
Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance for visitors in via Cassolo, in front of street number 3.
Tickets
Free admission, by reservation only: call to +39 02 583 117 07 or write to fondazione.somaini@gmail.com.
Groups
The Foundation also organizes curator-led visits for organized groups. For information and reservations: call +39 02 583 117 07 or write to fondazione.somaini@gmail.com.
[…]While taking the color photos, I rediscovered two high reliefs that, together, formed the part that lies horizontal to the ground in that Retable, that altar of Life and Death that I had begun in 1967 and continued in 1968. It included the two Thanatos Athanatos as guardians of the temple A + B offset by the two springs representing life, C and D. The two gaping, half-open doors or portals, F G, on the theme of death, opened onto a large square or cube of TRIUMPHANT LIFE which never progressed beyond the H drawings. This complex piece was never carried out because, at the time, I was unable to conceive and create the LIFE element. Now that I would know how to do it following the Antropoammoniti theme, I have no desire to make such an altar. […]
Francesco Somaini to Enrico Crispolti, 23 March 1979, Archivio Biblioteca Enrico Crispolti, Rome
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