Opening night of Lorenzo Mattotti Art Exhibit

Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago director Tina Cervone welcomed a large audience to Lorenzo Mattotti’s first solo Chicago art exhibition last night. In her presentation remarks, she gave special thanks to Consul General of Italy, Alessandro Motta, for his presence at the opening of this special show, which runs through July 30.

Visitors to the Italian Cultural Institute's beautiful gallery space have the opportunity of viewing the full range of Mattotti's artwork: sixty-three drawings, magazine covers, comic book narratives, poster designs and illustrations, covering a large portion of his recent production. The artwork is divided into series which demonstrate the richness of his work and the themes he explores. Mattotti's splendid covers for The New Yorker Magazine, Internazionale Magazine, and Cosmopolitan are also on view.  

In Italy a young, innovative generation of artists is working on comics art; they have succeeded in making this an important, respected medium.  Mattotti is also one of those rare artists who has made a name for himself in the commercial sector without losing his integrity. Whether creating personal and edgy animations or whimsical, intensely colorful fashion illustrations, the sweetness and melancholy of Mattotti’s sensibility, his unique voice, always come through.

Mattotti’s career spans over thirty years.  Born in Brescia in 1954, he studied architecture in Venice before deciding to turn his talents to comics art. His credits include graphic novels and children’s books. “Fires,” “Murmur,” Collodi’s beloved “Pinocchio,” and Lou Reed’s “The Raven” are among the most famous. He has carried out major poster commissions from Cannes, Turin and the city of Rio de Janeiro. Mattotti is also a sought-after animation artist, and his work in the movies “Eros” and “Peur du noir” demonstrate the power of his imagination and his technical ability. In addition, he has exhibited in Europe's most prestigious venues.

Lorenzo Mattotti is known for his vibrant colors and flowing compositions. In fact, on entering this gallery with Mattotti’s work lining the walls, one feels an immediate psychological lift. His images are dreamlike, whimsical. Pulitzer prize winning comics artist Art Spiegelman had this to say about Mattotti’s images: “It seems I have already seem them in my dreams.”

His drawings and illustrations are not merely decorative, however. The spiritual dimension of his works is very strong. The works are powerful because behind the beauty is a deep sensitivity and a melancholy feeling. You could say that Mattotti has a genius for conveying sadness and solitariness behind gorgeous facades.

This exhibit by Lorenzo Mattotti was enjoyed greatly by everyone who attended. Director Tina Cervone pointed out in her remarks last night that much of the exhibit's success was due to the hard work of the staff and interns at the Italian Cultural Institute and the Consulate General of Italy.

Miuccia Prada presented with McKim Medal Laureate award

This Wednesday, dean of the Yale School of Art, Rob Storr, will present the McKim Medal Laureate award to  Miuccia Prada, at the American Academy in Rome's Villa Auerelia. Since taking over Prada in 1978, the designer has risen to the highest echelons in fashion, with her minimalist designs for Prada and Miu Miu. 

Italian Elio Germano wins best actor award at Cannes Film Festival

Elio Germano won best actor award for "La nostra vita" by Daniele Luchetti.

The recognition of Germano at Cannes is a major boost to the Italian film industry and also to the young actor - class of 1980- who is rapidly becoming one of Italy's most sought after artists. In "La nostra vita" he plays the role of a young building industry worker who copes with his unhappiness after the death of his wife by beginning a frenetic striving for an upscale lifestyle. 

Maurizio Cattelan sets Southeby's record for an Italian work of art

A work by Maurizio Cattalan set a world record for an Italian artwork sale at Southeby's at their Wednesday night auction in New York City. Cattelan is Italy's most famous contemporary artist, and his brilliant piece, All, was recently featured in the exhibit ITALICS that covered forty years of Italian art at the MCA.  

Contemporary Italian Literature and the New Italian

Reading Corriere della Sera we ran across this fascinating blog dedicated to Italian writers whose first language isn't Italian.

"Whether they come from far away or were born in Italy, they live every day going back and forth between worlds and cultures.  nuovitaliani.corriere.it  - is a new blog dedicated to the new Italian. The stories that are told are those of discovery, making friends, and starting over. There is also the search and desire for normality in school, work, language, love.  This blog opens a window to the Italian melting pot that has existed for decades, but which we're only becoming conscious of today."

Carmen Consoli: US Tour: Coming to Chicago on June 15 at Martyr's

Carmen Consoli   (Catania, 1974) was nine years old when she began playing music with her father, who was a passionate follower of American soul and blues music. She made her musical debut in her first clubs in Catania when she was only fourteen years old with the group Moon Dog’s Party, playing Jefferson Airplane, Otis Redding and Janis Joplin covers. Her talent was immediately noted by producer and owner of Cyclope Records Francesco Virlinzi, who took her to Rome where she worked at her craft for two years, returning to Catania in 1994 with material for her first album “Due parole.” She participated in her first Sanremo musical contest in 1996 with the song “Amore di plastica,” and then went on her first tour. Since then Carmen Consoli has never stopped writing, producing albums, and performing. She’s been awarded a long list of musical prizes and her concerts draw crowds that fill the Europe’s largest stadiums.

Don’t miss this truly unprecedented chance to see a major Italian music star in the intimate club setting of Martyrs!  June 15 at 8 PM

Classical Music at the Italian Cultural Institute: The Mancini Pezzali Flute and Guitar Duo

Upcoming: two very special classical music concerts featuring the flute and guitar duo of Anna Mancini and Walter Pezzali.  Their first concert will take place on Tuesday, May 11 at Northwestern University: 4:00 PM in the Music Administration Building, room 109. This event is free and open to all.
Their second concert is at The Italian Cultural Institute on Thursday, May 13 at 6 PM. There will be a reception following this free event.

The Mancini Pezzali duo will present a unique program consisting of many rarely played musical pieces based on the repertory of composers for opera, including works of Bellini, Cimarosa and Rossini. 

Anna Mancini and Walter Pezzali have had extensive careers as soloists and musicians in chamber music groups in Italy and Europe. They are professors of flute and guitar respectively at the Conservatory of Parma. 

"Days of Fear" by Daniele Mastrogiacomo

Presentation of DAYS OF FEAR - a book about the Taliban kidnapping of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo. 

On April 26 we hosted Daniele Mastrogiacomo, Italian - Swiss journalist and war correspondent for La Repubblica, Italy’s largest circulating newspaper. 

Mastrogiacomo was in Chicago to present his book “Days of Fear,” a recounting of his fifteen days of captivity in the hands of the Taliban. Italian Cultural Institute of Chicago Director Tina Cervone introduced Daniele Mastrogiacomo to a crowded hall, making it clear that the Institute was honored by Mastrogiacomo’s presence, and giving a brief description of his work and captivity experience. 

On March 5, 2007 Daniele Mastrogiacomo, his interpreter Ajmal Nashqkebandi and his driver Sayed Agha, headed to southern Afghanistan, a Taliban controlled area, after being promised an interview with a Taliban commander.