Giulio Paolini on Art, Truth, and the Double in Verona Exhibition

Giulio Paolini (Genoa, 1940) presents the solo show "Et in Arcadia Ego" at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti in Verona, running concurrently with ArtVerona 2023. The exhibition follows his previous retrospective at Palazzo Forti (2001-2002) and marks the first collaboration between the museum and ArtVerona's Habitat section, which creates immersive artist-designed spaces. Central to Paolini's work are themes of mimesis, the copy, the double, time, and the relationship between space, artist, and viewer. The installation "Riapparizione della Vergine" echoes an earlier work donated to the GAM collection. In an interview, Paolini discusses his view of art as a non-therapeutic, non-instructive pursuit that offers a secret path to truth. He criticizes contemporary saturation of communication and false values, advocating for a disciplined distance. He embraces the figure of the "copist" as an antidote to excessive self-focus. Regarding AI and digital technologies, he acknowledges their utility but warns against making them absolute models. The exhibition is curated by Maria Palladino.