Nelle mostre precedenti abbiamo descritto i nostri lavori come messaggi narrativi che tendono a diffondere la cultura visiva attraverso consapevoli citazioni.

Si raccontano episodi veri o verosimili del mondo dell’arte, tecniche, scoperte visive, ossessioni di artisti di cui si citano le opere, fingendo a volte incontri o avvenimenti immaginari.

È un mondo di sogni in cui un’opera si trasforma in un’altra.

In questo tipo di lavori lo stile riconoscibile è solo il metodo narrativo.

L’intento finale è ottenere “arte diffusa”.

Prediligiamo oggetti d’uso, che si modificano perché anche chi li vive entri nel processo di creazione.
Così avviene anche in questa mostra, in uno spazio molto interessante per noi, una scuola in cui si apprendono e sviluppano non solo tecniche originali di preparazione del cibo, ma anche sensibilità e gusto nella forma della presentazione. Percorso che prevede una cultura complessa e profonda dell’accoglienza.

Questa per noi è l’arte diffusa, che entra nella vita di ogni giorno attraverso canali differenti, culture positive che non sono solo arte ma, sostenuti dall’impegno e dalla fiducia nella ricerca, divengono espressioni artistiche che si diffondono come in una epidemia. Positiva.

BIO

Gianni Mannocci e Caterina Perrone vivono e lavorano a Firenze.

Gianni ha operato nella ceramica negli anni ‘70 , nel design negli anni ’90.

Dal 2000 insieme a Caterina realizza oggetti di design d’arte, in cui progettazione, scultura e pittura si integrano con la ricerca di nuovi materiali e tecniche decorative e visive.

Caterina si è formata in una Accademia e si esprime principalmente nella decorazione pittorica.

Hanno esposto in mostre d’arte e design a Firenze, Venezia, Padova, Milano.

L’ultima importante esposizione, nel 2019, è stata a Villa Barbaro di Maser, dove, dialogando con le prospettive accelerate di Palladio e le anamorfosi di Veronese, hanno realizzato all’interno della villa l’immagine virtuale di una fontana, abitata dagli animali degli affreschi di Veronese.

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Eng: An accomplished architect, Gianni Mannocci began his career in the 1970s when he pursued art as a side hobby, starting with ceramics and evolving into design twenty years later. Biologist Caterina Perrone craved an outlet in which she could express herself creatively, going back to the academy to get formally trained in pictorial decoration. Thus, in 2000, the

Florence-based couple joined forces, utilizing their passions for sculpture-making, painting, and design to create unique mixed media art. Gianni specializes in sculpture, technical art, and volume, whereas Caterina focuses on visual imagery and color. Inspired by Miró, Duchamp, and many other expressionist artists, each of the couple’s pieces combines their respective decorative and visual techniques with an ever-changing array of new materials. Their art has been displayed in exhibitions throughout Italy at notable locations in Venice, Padua, Milan, and Florence.

The Arte Diffusa exhibition, which opened at the Corridoio Fiorentino located at the Florence University of the Arts (FUA-AUF) on February 10th, showcases a series of paintings and sculptures from these acclaimed artists. Defying the anti-utilitarian approach taken by most European artists, Mannocci and Perrone repurposed stationary objects, keeping their functionality but expanding their creative expression. They named this eclectic exhibition of mixed mediums “Arte Diffusa” to represent the transfer of their emotions, feelings, and creative thoughts into all the art they create. The center of the exhibition is two armchairs, repurposed from a past exhibit in the 1970s that symbolize the progression of their artwork together, and how art is dreams made into reality. Their pieces depict the duality of masculinity and femininity, which can be seen in the exhibit’s centerpieces: mixed-media art chairs. The craft of the chairs and chiseling of the wood, done by Gianni, displays the masculine side of creativity and art. The colorful and intricate detailing of the furniture, done by Caterina, illustrates the femininity in life and art.

When interviewed about the exhibition, Gianni Mannocci and Caterina Perrone remarked, “this exhibition [Arte Diffusa] is, in a very interesting space for us, a school in which not only original techniques of food preparation are learned and developed, but also sensitivity and taste in the form of presentation. A path that provides for a complex and profound culture of hospitality.” Made evident by these statements, the artists find great value in connecting places of learning and their art, where presentation, hospitality, and culture are vital pillars of the FUA-AUF community and their personal objectives. The artists also stated that “For us, this is widespread art, which enters everyday life through different channels, positive cultures that are not just art but, supported by commitment and trust in research, become artistic expressions that spread like an epidemic.” When later asked how they define success as artists in an abstract, ever-evolving industry, Mannocci and Perrone were adamant that they don’t fear success, yet it is not their end goal. Instead, success takes the form of happiness with their work and is displayed in their relationships with people. It is essential to Mannocci and Perrone that their art remains as authentic representations of their lives, both internally and externally. This exhibit directly expresses their emotions, which is why it is an eclectic showing of varying mediums, colors, styles, and pieces.

Third-year university student Claire Ryan has been working with FUA Professor David Weiss to curate a gallery of “Arte Diffusa” worthy of showcasing Mannocci and Perrone’s tireless work and expression of their passion for art. Ryan has met with Mannocci and Perrone to discuss their artwork and its story. Having been in this industry for over 50 years, Gianni and Caterina have seen how success in the art world turns other artists’ passions into a mentally and physically exhausting job. Success is a great danger to all internally gratifying talents and desires, which is why Mannocci and Perrone are adamant about focusing on personal freedom, independence, and long-lasting connections over all else.

The exhibit is a unique representation of what the artists refer to as “a world of dreams in which one work is transformed into another.” Ryan explained that meticulous consideration goes into the setup of the artwork and the gallery itself. Every piece has a different meaning, and therefore, the way each piece is displayed has a specific connotation. The Florence University of the Arts (FUA-AUF) is ecstatic to be hosting this exhibition of Gianni Mannocci and Caterina Perrone’s remarkable “Arte Diffusa”, which is now open for students and the general public to enjoy freely.

By Elizabeth Zoltak, Claire Cetola, and Jordyn LoPresti