Italian experimental artist Paolo Gioli dies at 80
Paolo Gioli, the innovative Italian artist celebrated for his groundbreaking work in photography and film, passed away at the age of 80. He was born in Sarzano, Rovigo, in 1942, and transformed various forms of visual media, including polaroids and stop-motion techniques. His work gained renewed attention with a 2016 exhibition at Peep-Hole, facilitated by collector Paolo Vampa. This was followed by a 2018 showcase at the American Academy in Rome, curated by Peter Benson Miller, along with several international retrospectives. Gioli's Omaggi series paid tribute to photography's early pioneers and artists such as Courbet and van Gogh. Art historian Angela Madesani highlighted his references to art history, while journalist Michele Smargiassi described him as a visionary who 'scarnified photography.' Curator Carlo Sala reminisced about his experiences in Gioli's studio.
Key facts
- Paolo Gioli died at age 80.
- Born in Sarzano, Rovigo, in 1942.
- Rediscovered after a 2016 Peep-Hole exhibition.
- Peep-Hole was run by Anna Daneri, Bruna Roccasalva, and Vincenzo De Bellis.
- Collector Paolo Vampa owned the Paolo Gioli archive.
- 2018 exhibition at American Academy in Rome curated by Peter Benson Miller.
- Retrospective by Cineclub Canudo and Museo Castromediano under Italian Council.
- Created Omaggi series honoring Niépce, Poitevin, Cameron, and others.
- Used polaroids to explore societal trauma.
- Experimental cinema included animation, found footage, stop-motion.
- Angela Madesani wrote about him in 'Cronologie' (Johan & Levi).
- Michele Smargiassi called him a visionary who deconstructed photography.
- Carlo Sala remembered him as interrogating the visual.
- Cesare Misserotti was a close friend and supporter.
Entities
Artists
- Paolo Gioli
- Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
- Alphonse Poitevin
- Julia Margaret Cameron
- Courbet
- van Gogh
- Dürer
- Signorelli
- Piero della Francesca
- Mantegna
- Talbot
- Muybridge
- Londe
- Duchamp
- Cesare Misserotti
Institutions
- Peep-Hole
- American Academy in Rome
- Cineclub Canudo
- Museo Castromediano
- Italian Council
- Johan & Levi
- Artribune
- Palazzo Tupputi
Locations
- Sarzano
- Rovigo
- Italy
- Rome
- Bisceglie
- Lecce
- Sarzano di Rovigo
- Milan
- Puglia
- China