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Giovanni de Cataldo's Urban Archaeology at Z2O Gallery

exhibition · 2026-05-05

Giovanni de Cataldo (Rome, 1990) transforms urban detritus into art at Z2O Gallery in Rome. His exhibition focuses on Rome's San Lorenzo district, a zone between center and periphery, as a laboratory for alternative beauty. De Cataldo recontextualizes found objects—public fountain covers in marble, metal, and wax become elegant decorations; painted guardrails become architectural sculptures. Following Marcel Duchamp, he investigates the relationship between object and gaze, urging viewers to abandon old aesthetic categories and recognize a Dostoevskian beauty that will save the world. The works balance painting, sculpture, and installation. The show is reviewed by Niccolò Lucarelli, a curator and critic with a background in International Studies.

Key facts

  • Giovanni de Cataldo was born in Rome in 1990.
  • The exhibition is held at Z2O Gallery in Rome.
  • The focus is on Rome's San Lorenzo district.
  • Materials include marble, metal, and wax.
  • Public fountain covers are turned into decorative elements.
  • Painted guardrails become architectural sculptures.
  • The work references Marcel Duchamp.
  • The review is by Niccolò Lucarelli.

Entities

Artists

  • Giovanni de Cataldo
  • Marcel Duchamp
  • Niccolò Lucarelli

Institutions

  • Z2O Gallery
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • San Lorenzo

Sources