Giuseppe Lo Cascio: memory, mimesis, and the uncanny object

Giuseppe Lo Cascio, born in Palermo in 1997, produces art that challenges the distinction between ordinary items and artistic expression. His latest works, including "Cabinets" (concrete key cabinets displayed at Fuori Festival, Spoleto) and "Registri Buffetti" (filing cabinets made from polystyrene and plasticine), transform commonplace objects into surprising materials. This repetitive approach encourages viewers to reconsider the roles of functionality and art. In a recent interview, Lo Cascio reflects on his complex relationship with memory, characterized by compulsive accumulation yet a lack of organization, which he explores in his series "La memoria è la cosa migliore che non ho" (Memory is the best thing I don't have). He references Duchamp's readymade while reinterpreting objects in novel materials, describing this transformative process as alchemical, where imitation can surpass the original. The tactile quality of plasticine highlights the artist's hand, allowing for ongoing alterations. His influences span Arte Povera and artists like Katharina Fritsch and Mona Hatoum, as well as literary figures such as Sebald and Kafka. Looking ahead, he plans a residency in Milan in autumn 2025, concentrating on the removal of non-war debris from urban spaces, while acknowledging the difficulties of navigating time as a young artist in a rapidly accelerating world.