Eugenio Tibaldi's 'Why a Fable?' Explores 1980s-90s Italian Provincial Life at Casa Di Marino

Eugenio Tibaldi's seventh solo show at Umberto Di Marino gallery in Naples, 'Why a Fable?', presents 'La forma spezzata', a project produced by Fondazione Pietro e Alberto Rossini that includes an artist's fable (Allemandi, 2023), a performance, an exhibition, a talk, and educational workshops. The exhibition transports viewers to 1980s-90s Italian provincial life, referencing cultural touchstones like Luca Carboni, Eros Ramazzotti, TV shows 'Drive In' (1983-1988), 'Colpo Grosso' (1987-1992), 'Indietro tutta!' (1987-1988), 'Non è la Rai' (1991-1995), and films by Diego Abbatantuono and Bud Spencer. Eight detailed 2023 drawings on paper (120x85cm, with one 91x44cm) are arranged in chapters: 'IL PAESE PIU' BELLO DEL MONDO', 'IL RITROVAMENTO', 'LA NUOVA FEDE CHE UNÌ TUTTE LE GENTI', 'CHE NULLA VADA PERDUTO', 'LA CONSULENZA', 'LA SENTENZA', 'VISSERO TUTTI FELICI E CONTENTI', plus 'La forma'. The works feature surmolotti (mice) as human alter egos, with one drawing referencing Russell Church's 1959 study on rat empathy. The central 'forma spezzata' is a totem of books (a table leg from the Monza Brianza furniture district, recalling Putin's 1995 table by Oak di Cantù) that breaks, symbolizing societal decay. The exhibition runs at Casa Di Marino in Naples.