Fernando De Filippi's Political Art at Museo Castromediano
A retrospective at Museo Castromediano in Lecce surveys over sixty years of Fernando De Filippi's career, highlighting his fusion of art and political activism. Born in Lecce in 1940, De Filippi moved from informalist beginnings to figurative painting, then to clandestine urban interventions and performance. The exhibition is structured chronologically, with sections like 'Cuba Cuba' (1960s-70s) depicting tropical landscapes through graphic and cinematic imagery, and works such as 'Lo spazio possibile della sua esistenza quotidiana' exploring the confusion between viewer and subject during Italy's Years of Lead. A section on Lenin shows De Filippi's shift to neorealist painting, including the 1974 film-video 'Sostituzione' where he assumes Lenin's appearance, and later performances transcribing revolutionary texts. From the 1980s, his work incorporates mythological, sculptural, and architectural elements, engaging with philosophy and natural motifs like sea, fire, trees, and plants. The exhibition is curated by Giuseppe Amedeo Arnesano and features a rigorous documentary apparatus.
Key facts
- Fernando De Filippi was born in Lecce in 1940.
- The exhibition is held at Museo Castromediano in Lecce.
- De Filippi's career spans over sixty years.
- His work combines art with political activism.
- The 'Cuba Cuba' series was created between the 1960s and 1970s.
- The series 'Lo spazio possibile della sua esistenza quotidiana' addresses the relationship between viewer and subject.
- The 1974 film-video 'Sostituzione' features De Filippi impersonating Lenin.
- From the 1980s, his work includes mythological and philosophical themes.
Entities
Artists
- Fernando De Filippi
- Vladimir Lenin
- Giuseppe Amedeo Arnesano
Institutions
- Museo Castromediano
- Artribune
Locations
- Lecce
- Italy