Mattia Rocks in Black Tar
Tar is a viscous black liquid derived from the destructive distillation of organic matter. Most tar is produced from coal as a byproduct of coke production, but it can also be produced from petroleum, peat or wood. Wikipedia
A few days ago a friend of mine, an art consultant from Italy called to invite me to New York AnnaKustera gallery opening by an artist-”You ‘ll be impressed with !” My friend Michele was right.
The moment I was presented to Los Angeles -based artist Mattia Biagi in his solo debut Rose Like a Phoenix from the Ashes I immediately understood who I was dealing with. A rebel like many of those we meet in out path, but a gentle, polite and sensitive one; of course and Earth Artist.
Born in Ravenna, Italy, we connected very fast and in Italian he told me he studied at the Milan Accademia di Belle Arti in the Brera neighborhood so close to the house I lived in at the time.
Michele my friend was smiling, the gallery was full, and he knew he had bingo-ed with the mix of New Yorkers, Italians, English. Moroccans, Central American friends he brought to Anna’s gallery. He now explains to me while Mattia attended Murray Moss , that Biagi’s baroque and highly textural reinterpretation of Earth Art involve the use of black tar in order to both preserve and destroy.
Mattia Biagi is back. As an answer to my question about black tar, he confides me that since he was a child he basically had a tremendous attraction for melted chocolate , and then in more of a serious tone he engages in geopolitics and environment by invoking the legend of the phoenix, the mythical bird whose rise from death and ashes suggests the hope of renewal.
Our conversation takes place just at the door of a salvaged 1954 Buik Sedan-tarred , corroded and sectioned becoming the fertile bed for a live Ficus Benjamina tree. In this most ambitious project, Biagi sustains that through a juxtaposition of the remnants of dead technology versus nature , he is able to create a sensual and visually arresting experience that projects a life-affirming optimism.
A Japanese couple probably both models ask the price, Anna ’s pretty assistant gives them a number of 50000 us Dollars with a smile. Michele suggests I should get those cute tarred teddy bears with the apple for my flower bedroom before the owners of a trendy shop in Tokyo orders them all.
Mattia’s work, for over a decade at the side of Giulio Capellini as creative director of the prestigious Italian design company has been seen internationally most notably at Art Miami Basel 2006,Dzine in San Francisco,Twentieh in Los Angels. Marcon Gallery in Bologna, and has appeared in numerous publications including Zink Magazine, Flaunt, Surface and the Los Angeles Times. Among his clients worldwide, Tom Ford and Philippe Stark
After everyone left the gallery our small group of 20 decides to accept Anna Kustera kind invitation for dinner at the close by Pepe Giallo where we have the old -world trattoria experience to heart. I meet Valerj Pobega Mattia Biagi’s charming wife from Sardinia who is both a jewel and fashion designer,the responsible for the teddy bear and good-luck bringer necklace Mattia wears religiously on top his purple shirt and heavily tattooed neck.
At my right a hair stylist elaborates about the synchronicity of hair cuts, at my left the spiritual powers of drinking water are enthusiastically discussed together with the concept of effortless saving of the world through design . Among several tart of black olives, pennes alla Vodka, and a few bottles of good Barolo, in front of me Michele and Anna Kustera celebrate another glorious event that make New York city Chelsea night skies as artistic and magical as they can be.
A-propos Anna….. are they still any Matilda tarred teddy bears left?
Joelle’s Tips:
The Gallery:
Annakunstera 520 West 21 Street New York NY 10011 Tel : 1 212 989 0082 Fax: 1 212 989 04 56 Mattia Biagi
“Rose Like a Phoenix From the Ashes’
April 10 - May 24, 2008
The Store:
Moss
150 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012
tel (212) 204-7100
fax (212) 204-7101
tollfree (866) 888-6677
store@mossonline.com
The Fashion Designer: Valerj Pobega
Canfora
