Mondo Mondino. L’universo artistico di Aldo Mondino
from 21 April 2007 to 16 June 2007
Bologna
Following a proposal by the Association of Friends of the Gallery of Modern Art in Bologna and thanks to the collaboration of the Astuni Gallery, the largest exhibition dedicated to Aldo Mondino since his death is set to open next spring.
The concept behind the exhibition, set in the stunning rooms of Villa delle Rose in Bologna, centres on Mondino as a ‘character’, whom the Turin-based writer and essayist Nico Orengo described in the pages of La Stampa as ‘the dandy among the painters of his generation’. Mondino was indeed interested in fast cars, fabrics and tailors; he loved women and spirits, and was an incurable “curious soul”.
Alongside the display of a significant selection of his works, ranging from the 1960s right up to his latest paintings and sculptures, the aim is to recreate a biographical “universe” of the artist – who was, among other things, the first to recognise the importance of American Pop Art when it was still unknown in Italy, and who was close to, though never fully involved in, the Arte Povera circles.
The project aims to reveal a well-rounded Mondino, a world of interests, choices, friendships (notably that with Boetti), acquaintances, but also quirks, passions (such as his love of travel and other cultures), and obsessions, which will be brought to life through the display of unpublished or little-known material such as letters, photographs and documents that give meaning and depth to the artworks themselves.
A world into which the viewer will be invited to immerse themselves, to be captivated by the charm of what was perhaps one of the last charismatic ‘artists’ of the Italian twentieth century.
The exhibition will be spread across the outdoor spaces of Villa delle Rose (sculptures) and the interior. The works will be arranged within the villa along a route that will take us through the artist’s various creative phases, from his ironic/metalinguistic works (featuring chocolates or ballpoint pens) to his ‘Jewish’ works, and those dedicated to the many countries visited and loved by Mondino: Morocco, Mexico, Africa and Asia Minor. The exhibition route will be accompanied by a video featuring an interview with the artist.
The catalogue
The lavish, full-colour catalogue was conceived specifically with the exhibition’s layout in mind and focuses on Mondino as a person, a man and an artist. Alongside the exhibited works, it contains a selection of the remarkable photographs taken by Mondino throughout his long career and, above all, during his wanderings across the continents. Not an exhaustive catalogue, therefore, but rather an attempt to highlight the artistic depth and inexhaustible spirit of inquiry of the Turin-born artist – his idea of art as an ‘anomaly’ and an ironic challenge to the rules of a profession ‘without rules’ – what another great Piedmontese, Cesare Pavese, had defined as ‘the art of living’.
The catalogue features texts by the director of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Bologna, the President of the Friends of the GAM, and the exhibition curator.
The concept behind the exhibition, set in the stunning rooms of Villa delle Rose in Bologna, centres on Mondino as a ‘character’, whom the Turin-based writer and essayist Nico Orengo described in the pages of La Stampa as ‘the dandy among the painters of his generation’. Mondino was indeed interested in fast cars, fabrics and tailors; he loved women and spirits, and was an incurable “curious soul”.
Alongside the display of a significant selection of his works, ranging from the 1960s right up to his latest paintings and sculptures, the aim is to recreate a biographical “universe” of the artist – who was, among other things, the first to recognise the importance of American Pop Art when it was still unknown in Italy, and who was close to, though never fully involved in, the Arte Povera circles.
The project aims to reveal a well-rounded Mondino, a world of interests, choices, friendships (notably that with Boetti), acquaintances, but also quirks, passions (such as his love of travel and other cultures), and obsessions, which will be brought to life through the display of unpublished or little-known material such as letters, photographs and documents that give meaning and depth to the artworks themselves.
A world into which the viewer will be invited to immerse themselves, to be captivated by the charm of what was perhaps one of the last charismatic ‘artists’ of the Italian twentieth century.
The exhibition will be spread across the outdoor spaces of Villa delle Rose (sculptures) and the interior. The works will be arranged within the villa along a route that will take us through the artist’s various creative phases, from his ironic/metalinguistic works (featuring chocolates or ballpoint pens) to his ‘Jewish’ works, and those dedicated to the many countries visited and loved by Mondino: Morocco, Mexico, Africa and Asia Minor. The exhibition route will be accompanied by a video featuring an interview with the artist.
The catalogue
The lavish, full-colour catalogue was conceived specifically with the exhibition’s layout in mind and focuses on Mondino as a person, a man and an artist. Alongside the exhibited works, it contains a selection of the remarkable photographs taken by Mondino throughout his long career and, above all, during his wanderings across the continents. Not an exhaustive catalogue, therefore, but rather an attempt to highlight the artistic depth and inexhaustible spirit of inquiry of the Turin-born artist – his idea of art as an ‘anomaly’ and an ironic challenge to the rules of a profession ‘without rules’ – what another great Piedmontese, Cesare Pavese, had defined as ‘the art of living’.
The catalogue features texts by the director of the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Bologna, the President of the Friends of the GAM, and the exhibition curator.
Iznik, 1995
olio su vetro
6 elementi 50 × 40 cm ciascuno
Gumbri, 2001
olio su linoleum
120 × 90 cm
Maroc, 1999
olio, lana e legno su linoleum
120 × 90 cm
Selim sec°, 1989-1990
olio su linoleum
80 × 60 cm