Anselm Kiefer's Venice Exhibition Draws on Obscure Italian Philosopher Andrea Emo
The exhibition by Anselm Kiefer at Venice's Palazzo Ducale, entitled 'Questi scritti, quando verranno bruciati, daranno finalmente un po' di luce', draws inspiration from the Italian philosopher Andrea Emo (1901–1983). Hailing from Battaglia, Emo was a student of Giovanni Gentile and produced 38,000 pages of manuscripts exploring themes in philosophy, theology, art history, and politics. He led a reclusive life after marrying Giuseppina Pignatelli in 1938, with limited academic connections. It wasn't until 1986 that philosopher Massimo Cacciari acknowledged the significance of Emo's work, culminating in the 1989 release of 320 notebooks titled 'Il Dio negativo. Scritti teoretici 1925-1981'. Kiefer’s display in the Sala dello Scrutinio reveals Emo’s previously concealed insights.
Key facts
- Anselm Kiefer's exhibition at Palazzo Ducale in Venice is titled after a phrase by Andrea Emo.
- Andrea Emo was an Italian philosopher born in Battaglia in 1901 and died in Rome in 1983.
- Emo studied philosophy under Giovanni Gentile at Sapienza University.
- He wrote 38,000 manuscript pages from age 17, kept secret until his death.
- His writings were discovered by Massimo Cacciari in 1986 and first published in 1989 by Marsilio.
- The publication 'Il Dio negativo' includes writings from 1925 to 1981.
- Emo's philosophy includes statements like 'Believing in God is believing in nothing.'
- Kiefer's exhibition is held in the Sala dello Scrutinio at Palazzo Ducale.
Entities
Artists
- Anselm Kiefer
- Andrea Emo
- Alberto Savinio
- Cristina Campo
- Massimo Cacciari
- Massimo Donà
- Romano Gasparotti
- Raffaele Iannuzzi
- Franco Marcoaldi
- Giovanni Gentile
- Angelo Emo Capodilista
- Emilia Barracco
- Giuseppina Pignatelli
- Marina Emo
- Emilia Emo
Institutions
- Palazzo Ducale
- Sapienza University
- Marsilio
Locations
- Venice
- Battaglia
- Rome
- Veneto