With Spazio (Space), a body of work initiated in 1999, Davide Bertocchi began a metaphysical and personal research predicated on two possibilities: What we know to be true about the universe and that which is easy to imagine. The planets and galaxies that Bertocchi invents could easily exist. While they look extremely realistic, they are in fact created-one by one, almost as a form of daily exercise-with the aid of a computer program that fuses science and media technology; to date he has invented almost two thousand celestial bodies.
LOS ANGELES - Davide Bertocchi opens to the public Friday, July 11, 2003, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., at Spazio Italia, Italian Cultural Institute (IIC), 1023 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles. The exhibition will be on view through Friday, August 22, 2003.
With Spazio (Space), a body of work initiated in 1999, Davide Bertocchi began a metaphysical and personal research predicated on two possibilities: What we know to be true about the universe and that which is easy to imagine.
The planets and galaxies that Bertocchi invents could easily exist. While they look extremely realistic, they are in fact created-one by one, almost as a form of daily exercise-with the aid of a computer program that fuses science and media technology; to date he has invented almost two thousand celestial bodies. Aware that what he is doing in this particular body of work could be considered science fiction, Bertocchi does not fret about this perception-in fact, he delights in playing the role of researcher and treats his artworks as experiments.
The scientific trappings of his work are purely aesthetic. By appropriating the visual aspects of scientific methodology, Bertocchi strives for an 'authenticity' that will aid in the process of convincing people that what they see is 'real.' By using scientific language, he successfully subverts the system from within: while one of the objectives of science is to reassure and to explain everything in a rational manner, the intention of Bertocchi's pseudo-science is to destabilize any possible certainties.
Bertocchi's research centers on some interrelated themes, including the circular movement of the planetary system. The cyclical movements find equivalents in media technology such as video loops, vinyl records, turntables, CDs, and DVDs. In fact, 'going around in circles' might be a suitable metaphor to describe Bertocchi's approach to art.
Bertocchi has participated in several one-person and group exhibitions including Italy: Out of Order, Praguebiennale 1, Veletrzni Palac, Prague (2003); Nuovo Spazio Italiano, Museo di Arte di Rovereto e Trento (MART), Palazzo delle Albere, Galleria Civica, Trento, Italy (2002); Italian Selection Studio Program at PS1-MOMA, 2000-2001, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome and One Planet Under a Groove: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art, Bronx Museum of the Arts, New York (2001); and (Esposizione Universale) Space-Lab-Luneburg, World Expo Lunapark, Lüneburg, Germany (2000).
Davide Bertocchi was born in Modena, Italy, in 1969. He lives and works in Paris and Milan.
The exhibition is curated by Alma Ruiz in collaboration with the Italian Heritage Culture Foundation as part of the L.A. INTERNATIONAL Biennial Art Invitational.
The Italian Cultural Institute's Spazio Italia is open Monday through Friday from
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. For 24-hour information about current events and education programs, please call (310) 443-3250.
Opening: Friday, July 11, 2003
Time: 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Closing: Friday, August 22, 2003
General Admission: Free / Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: (310) 443-3250
Location: Spazio Italia, Italian Cultural Institute (IIC), 1023 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90024
Parking for Opening Event: Lot adjacent to the IIC/ Free