Fabrizio Plessi, Pioneer of Italian Video Art, Dies at 86
Fabrizio Plessi, an influential figure in Italian video art, passed away at the age of 86. He was born on April 3, 1940, in Reggio Emilia and pursued his studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice. Over nearly sixty years, his exploration transformed various materials into a fusion of technology and sculpture, with a particular emphasis on water starting in the late 1960s. Plessi showcased 'Bronx' at the Venice Biennale in 1986 and took part in Documenta 8 in 1987. His notable works include 'Waterfire' (2000), 'Mare verticale' (2005), and 'Mari Verticali' (2011). In 2023, he created installations at Palazzo Reale in Milan and connected Brescia's archaeological park with 'Plessi sposa Brixia.' His upcoming projects are 'Perdersi in un bicchier d'acqua' (2025) and Glasstress 2026. His passing underscores the difficulties in preserving video art.
Key facts
- Fabrizio Plessi died at age 86.
- Born in Reggio Emilia on April 3, 1940.
- Studied at Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, later taught painting.
- Presented 'Bronx' at the Venice Biennale in 1986.
- Participated in Documenta 8 in Kassel in 1987.
- Created 'Waterfire' at Museo Correr in 2000.
- Created 'Mare verticale' in 2005, a 44-meter-high stele.
- Exhibited 'Mari Verticali' at the Venice Pavilion in 2011.
- In 2023, installed works at Palazzo Reale in Milan and for Bergamo Brescia Capitale italiana della Cultura.
- In 2024, 'Plessi. Nero Oro' at Nuova Sant'Agnese in Padua.
- In 2025, 'Histoire d'Eau' at Tornabuoni Art in Paris.
- In 2025-2026, 'Perdersi in un bicchier d'acqua' at Barovier&Toso Arte in Murano.
- Posthumously included in Glasstress 2026, opening July 12, 2026.
- Plessi Museum at the Brenner Pass since 2013.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Accademia di Belle Arti
- Venice Biennale
- Documenta
- Museo Correr
- Palazzo Reale
- Fondazione Alberto Peruzzo
- Tornabuoni Art
- Barovier&Toso Arte
- Fondazione Berengo
- Berengo Studio
- Plessi Museum
- Museo di Santa Giulia
- Parco archeologico di Brescia romana
- Nuova Sant'Agnese
- Broletto di Como
- Ca' Tron
- Berengo Art Space
Locations
- Reggio Emilia
- Italy
- Venice
- Kassel
- Germany
- Milan
- Padua
- Como
- Paris
- France
- Murano
- Brescia
- Brenner Pass