Federico Solmi's Monumental Video Work 'The Great Farce' Debuts in Frankfurt
From November 28 to December 3, 2017, Frankfurt hosted 'The Great Farce', a monumental video work by Italian-American artist Federico Solmi (born 1973 in Bologna, lives in New York). Commissioned by the Frankfurt B3 Biennial of the Moving Image, the piece integrates nine distinct videos into a single moving fresco. The work critiques political and social issues, depicting a grotesque, colorful group of political leaders in an amusement park where entertainment consists of re-enactments of historical events. Solmi stated, 'Art for me is a platform to examine social phenomena and draw attention to contradictions and injustices.' He added that throughout history, artists have held a mirror to their times with sagacity, and those artists are his heroes.
Key facts
- Federico Solmi is an Italian-American artist born in Bologna in 1973 and based in New York.
- The work 'The Great Farce' was commissioned by the Frankfurt B3 Biennial of the Moving Image.
- The piece combines nine different videos into a single monumental moving fresco.
- The theme is political-social, featuring a grotesque group of political leaders in an amusement park.
- The amusement park offers entertainment through re-enactments of historical events.
- The work was on view in Frankfurt from November 28 to December 3, 2017.
- Solmi views art as a platform to examine social phenomena and highlight contradictions and injustices.
- Solmi cites historical artists who used their work as a mirror to their times as his heroes.
Entities
Artists
- Federico Solmi
Institutions
- Frankfurt B3 Biennial of the Moving Image
Locations
- Frankfurt
- Germany
- Bologna
- New York