Aeneas and Anchises Hall

The works exhibited here reflect on the theme of identity, understood as an entity traced upon the skin, in which the property of skin is delimiting and at the same time separating: the skin as a sensory surface, relating with the world. In this case, it is an act of contact rather than sight that provides the primary source of knowledge from which this sculpture emerges. Touch is knowledge conveyed continuously and spontaneously, its imprinting a consequence of the primary function of touch and a sign of identity. The veins and thorns in Pelle di marmo e spine d’acacia / Marble Skin and Acacia Thorns recall the surface of the skin and its vitality. The pure gold foil in Pelle di cedro / Skin of Cedar registers a skin imprint, which enters into dialogue with the skin in the three-figure sculptural group: velvety and soft for the child (Ascanius), vigorous and turgid for the young man (Aeneas), sagging and wrinkly for the old man (Anchises).

 

Space between the hand and the touched surface is a space for contact, a layer of wax between the hand and the surface is a space intended for sculpture, a layer of graphite between the hand and the surface is the shadow of contact, a shadow that reflects light and projects the gaze beyond the skin. 

Giuseppe Penone

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