Gerusalemme, 1988
bronze
164 × 110 cm
Autenticated artwork
(published in Catalogue Raisonné vol. 1 p. 324)
Gerusalemme was an important stop along the artistic path of Mondino because it prompted him to rediscover the Jewish roots of his mother’s family, revealing a world and a tradition he possessed only on an inner plane, which from that moment on could be addressed through his art, with the usual wit and irony. The form and meaning of Mondino’s sculptures are often generated and influenced by his myopia; unable to make out the silhouette of objects from a distance, he often winds up by distorting them, giving rise to unique and somehow magical works. During his stay in Jerusalem he approached the Wailing Wall and his gaze settled on a “strange plant with black flowers.” Only when he came closer did he realize that the flowers were simply hats hung on a palm tree by some rabbis. After returning to Italy, he decided to make Gerusalemme, a bronze sculpture that manages – also by linking back to a certain Dada influence – to bring Judaism alive through everyday images, composed of garments and hats, thus expressing his freedom in relation to religion.
164 × 110 cm
Autenticated artwork
(published in Catalogue Raisonné vol. 1 p. 324)
Gerusalemme was an important stop along the artistic path of Mondino because it prompted him to rediscover the Jewish roots of his mother’s family, revealing a world and a tradition he possessed only on an inner plane, which from that moment on could be addressed through his art, with the usual wit and irony. The form and meaning of Mondino’s sculptures are often generated and influenced by his myopia; unable to make out the silhouette of objects from a distance, he often winds up by distorting them, giving rise to unique and somehow magical works. During his stay in Jerusalem he approached the Wailing Wall and his gaze settled on a “strange plant with black flowers.” Only when he came closer did he realize that the flowers were simply hats hung on a palm tree by some rabbis. After returning to Italy, he decided to make Gerusalemme, a bronze sculpture that manages – also by linking back to a certain Dada influence – to bring Judaism alive through everyday images, composed of garments and hats, thus expressing his freedom in relation to religion.
EXHIBITIONS
«Aldo Mondino. Moderno, postmoderno, contemporaneo», Museo d'arte contemporanea Villa Croce, Palazzo della Meridiana; installazioni site-specific: Palazzo Ducale, Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Bianco, Palazzo Reale, Casa di Colombo, Acquario di Genova, Genova (GE), curated by Ilaria Bonacossa, September 24 - November 27, 2016.
«Rules for illusions. Part II», Isabella Bortolozzi Galerie, Berlin, Deutschland, July 4 - September 19, 2015.
«Aldo Mondino: nomade a Milano», Fondazione Mudima, Milano, curated by Gianluca Ranzi, Achille Bonito Oliva, June 5 - July 19, 2013.
«Aldo Mondino Nuova Antologia», Galleria M&D Arte, Gorgonzola (MI), April 2 - May 6, 2011.
«Aldo Mondino Scultore», Piazza del Duomo e Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, Pietrasanta (LU), curated by Valerio Dehò, September 12 - December 12, 2010.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
V. Dehò (edited by), «Aldo Mondino Scultore», exhibition catalogue (Pietrasanta (LU), Piazza del Duomo e Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, September 12 - December 12, 2010), Allemandi & C., Torino, 2010, p. 86.
A. Tosetti, F. Gualdoni, M. Gazzotti, «Aldo Mondino Nuova Antologia», exhibition catalogue (Gorgonzola (MI), Galleria M&D Arte, April 2 - May 6, 2011), M&D Arte, Gorgonzola (Milano), 2011, p. 84.
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