From September 1 to 13, the new exhibition space SUMMER ART 2016, in Portopiccolo Sistiana curated by the prestigious Woland Art Club, will host Luca Moretto’s most significant works from his 10 year-long career. On Thursday, September 8, 32 Via dei Birrai inaugurates the unmissable vernissage where they will present their famous artisanal beer.
The event is organized with the participation of leading companies, like Saratoga, Mungo, Staygreen Venice and Holbein & Partners, who have supported the work of the artist for years.
The director of the gallery, Dr. Fabio Fonda, in conjunction with the Paralympics Rio insisted that the exhibition would be inaugurated on Wednesday, September 7, to allow Moretto, to share a concept that is close to his heart: “Disability does not only exist in sport but also in other areas of life. I want to leave a positive message; everyone has to find their own way in life even in the most difficult times." The artist also takes this opportunity to support and show gratitude to ISAL Foundation, engaged in the research against chronic pain, donating the whole proceeds of three art works that will be auctioned by Basezero open until September 28.
Moretto’s art has been exhibited in the Venice Biennale, but he also exposed globally from Milan to Monte Carlo, and as far as China. The experiences of the past inspired him to experiment with the use of silicone on canvas up to the point where he was able to shape it in the most unexpected forms, conferring dignity and beauty. The exhibition will present the most significant works of his artistic evolution, from the first canvas with oil paint and silicone, to the sculptures and full silicone creations.
The best-known work, the one that still arouses considerable emotion on the public and on the critics dates back to 2010 and is made of silicone, but hand-painted with a technique to create a relief effect. The artist from Jesolo revisited the Vespa Venice©, a copy of the Piaggio model from 1967 in Pop with flair and imagination and then exposed it at the 54th edition of the Venice Biennale in the Italian Pavilion , curated by Vittorio Sgarbi (Sala Nervi / Turin). In 2012, the Vespa Venice© becomes a permanent guest at the Piaggio Museum, considered by ICON as one of the 5 most beautiful unique versions of the famous Italian scooter. In 2014, the Piaggio Museum chose the piece of art as a tribute for the eighth World Rally Vespa World Days and exhibits it in the "Temporary Museum" in Mantova (Italy), the birthplace of Roberto Colaninno.
The poetics of Moretto creates fresh emotions in the audience, this gratifies the artist and feeds his will to evolve through the search for new volumes, shaping the silicone with a particular taste for colours. Even Francesco Sforza (CEO of Saratoga) and Mauro Leoni (CEO of Mungo Italy), used to consider the silicone as something merely functional, they are pleasantly surprised to see it become an art form. Both companies demonstrate their high regard for the work of the artist offering him a partnership.
Always experimenting, the artist created the first Bugatti B35 from a toy car. "In 2014 the Color Drops© White Edition was born with the collaboration of Saratoga" says Moretto "and from here the theme Color Drops originated that I will continue to use in future paintings and sculptures."
Bugatti B35 Color Drops© Black Edition, e’ una delle opere esposte al Woland Art Club. (Ph. Mirco Basso)
The Venetian-inspired murrine, registered as Murrina Pop©, is also a frequent theme that characterizes both Moretto’s works on canvas and his sculptures. One other example of this is a "car", the "Bugatti B35 Murrina Pop © | Bronzorame / Blue" again made possible through the support of Saratoga. From there on Moretto began to experiment with furniture, reinterpreting design pieces as contemporary icons. Another example is the Marilyn Murrina Pop © - Blue Sorrento, a giant lamp in cardboard from Staygreen Venice designed by the studio robertopamio + partners.
Moretto exhibits in two locations at the Fuorisalone 2015: the Brera Design District, where the Eco Furniture from Staygreen Venice displays art pieces designed with Mungo silicones and the Ventura Lambrate, where he has a solo exhibition "Human Scale" at Spazio Tadini with support from Saratoga.
In tune with the world of communication, Moretto developed his close relationship with the corporate environment. For the 10th anniversary of 32 Via dei Birrai he creates a piece of art that reinterprets the famous artisan brewery logo, which was exhibited at the anniversary party in June 2016 at the Flangini Palace in Venice.
The art work of Moretto brings on an intense flow of energy that turns on a sensory craving. The artist encourages the desire of the viewer to touch and caress his creations and indeed it is really hard to resist the temptation to touch the paintings that look like living suspended radicles.
The art of Moretto is direct, joyful, but emanates from a painful path that must be examined and understood together with the shapes and colours which reward us with a special gift: a message of optimism and hope that concedes us to face the difficulties of life.
Luca says: "At 23 I lost a leg in a motorcycle accident that led to never-ending operations up to amputation." Luca hoped that the amputation would cease the pain, however it worsened because of "phantom limb syndrome", a phenomenon due to incorrect re-organization of the brain, which cannot eliminate the removed limb from the motoric schemes. Excruciating pain torments him even today and evolves, adapting to the therapies. But Luca is determined to break down the wall of suffering. The tragic event generates in him a strong desire for redemption. He enrolled in a painting course and studied various techniques. From his desire to react finally emerged a disruptive creativity. Art becomes a cure for the mind: "Through painting, I vent, I pull out what's inside me, that's not bad, it is the will to live. Through colour the pain fades, and even though I suffer living hell, instead of lying in bed, I go to my easel and I paint."
Luca relies on pain therapies in various specialized centres in Italy. In 2011 he discovers the research of Prof. William Raffaeli from the ISAL Foundation in Rimini, who has been supporting him over the years with experimental and expensive treatments, funded by the Foundation. "ISAL is a support for those who have severe pain like mine. I therefore wish to come full circle and repay the aid I received, by donating the entire proceeds of three of my works that will be auctioned by Basezero."
During his ten-year long career, Moretto not only experimented with silicone, but created logos, slogans, aphorisms ... His creative energy inspires a form of art that can be used as a form of communication: "I believe that each of us, in this world, has the ability and the determination to reach their goals. I would like to be a small example of how you can react to pain and disability and find your own way in life ... and not only in sport, as we are often made to see on TV. You should not only look at the negative things in life, with that you do not go anywhere. When I think of the classic 'half full or half empty glass', I see above all a glass ... just waiting to be filled".
Impossible not to be overwhelmed by the joy of life that the artist celebrates in his motto: "Even from the deepest sorrow, the brightest may be born."
Luca Moretto would like to thank all the sponsors of the event:
