Mauro Staccioli: The Overlooked Italian Master of Environmental Sculpture
Mauro Staccioli (Volterra, 1937 – Milan, 2018) emerged as a prominent figure in environmental art starting in the late 1960s, drawing parallels to American minimalists. Although his contributions were largely unrecognized in Italy, he gained admiration from Giuseppe Panza di Biumo and produced installations in California. His significant piece 'Prato 88' (1988) now lies in a state of decay near the Luigi Pecci Contemporary Art Centre. In 2011, curator Alberto Fiz showcased 'Cerchio imperfetto' at the Scolacium Archaeological Park, which included Staccioli's 'Diagonale rossa.' Among his public works are 'Catanzaro '11,' an 8-meter wall displayed at the 1978 Venice Biennale, and a trench created in Milan in 1981. His final sculpture, 'Diagonale Palatina '17,' was commissioned by Tullio Leggeri and Alberto Fiz.
Key facts
- Mauro Staccioli was born in Volterra in 1937 and died in Milan in 2018.
- He was an environmental artist active since the late 1960s.
- His work is comparable to American minimalists Donald Judd, Robert Morris, Carl Andre, and Richard Serra.
- He was appreciated by collector Giuseppe Panza di Biumo.
- His installation 'Prato 88' (1988) at the Pecci Centre in Prato was left to decay after the museum's expansion.
- In 2011, curator Alberto Fiz organized the exhibition 'Cerchio imperfetto' at Scolacium and Marca Museum.
- Staccioli created a wall blocking the Italian Pavilion at the 1978 Venice Biennale.
- His 1981 trench at Mercato del Sale in Milan predates Doris Salcedo's 2007 'Shibboleth' by 26 years.
- His last sculpture 'Diagonale Palatina '17' was installed on the Palatine Hill in Rome.
Entities
Artists
- Mauro Staccioli
- Donald Judd
- Robert Morris
- Carl Andre
- Richard Serra
- Giuseppe Panza di Biumo
- Amnon Barzel
- Maurice Nio
- Marco Bazzini
- Maurizio Rubino
- Alberto Sordi
- Santiago Sierra
- Doris Salcedo
- Tullio Leggeri
- Alberto Fiz
Institutions
- Luigi Pecci Contemporary Art Centre
- Djerassi Foundation
- Bocchi Gallery
- Mercato del Sale
- Venice Biennale
- Tate Modern
- Scolacium Archaeological Park
- Marca Museum
- International Sculpture Park of Catanzaro
- Fiumara d'Arte Park
- Palatine Hill
- Artribune
Locations
- Volterra
- Italy
- Milan
- San Diego
- Santa Monica
- San Francisco
- Woodside
- California
- Prato
- Catanzaro
- Venice
- Motta d'Affermo
- Rome