Troppo lontano dal cuore, 2016, Chewingum and fibreglass, 325 x 120 x 90 cm
Maurizio Savini’s chewing gum sculptures have gained him fame and notoriety in the contemporary art world. This exhibition illustrates Savini’s artistic journey, which has grown from a specific material, chewing gum, and the most ‘pop’ colour possible: bubblegum pink. After being introduced to Europe at the end of WWII, chewing gum became a symbol of the new era, together with Coca Cola and nylon stockings, and has continued to permeate contemporary culture ever since. Cream and strawberry chewing gum become, in Savini’s hands, a medium that allows him to engage in attentive analysis about aspects of universal issues such as, for example, geopolitics and the human condition. Savini investigates the relationships between human beings, as well as their paradoxes and dichotomies, through hypermodern aesthetics borrowed from contemporary culture’s popular icons. In so doing, he creates a series of snapshots of contemporary identity.
Steve Jobs, 2016
Micromosaic of chewingum, shatterprrof glass, 125 x 65 cm
The ideas and techniques presented in Forbidden World have been twenty years in the making. The pieces shown represent a synthesis of Savini’s style, whilst also illustrating his latest artistic evolution. The exhibition brings together Savini’s recent works, including several that have never been seen in public before. Whilst the artist’s first chewing gum works were created with a mosaic technique, and in the obnoxiously artificial pink colouring of chewing gum, the pieces shown illustrate his evolution towards a pictorial method, where he dyes untreated gum to imitate the broad colour palette of paint. Over the course of his career, Savini has expanded on his technical skills, which has brought him to some surprising evolutions, as can be seen in the iPad and iPhone series.
Opening Reception: 1 October, 6-9pm
Venue: Partners & Mucciaccia, Blk 6 Lock Road #02-10 Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108934
When: 1 Oct 2016 - 7 May 2017,
