Parma Revives Forgotten Artist Remo Gaibazzi with Major Retrospective

Parma is hosting a significant retrospective dedicated to Remo Gaibazzi (1915–1994), a local artist whose unique focus on the term "lavoro" (work) kept him relatively obscure. The exhibition at Palazzo del Governatore highlights his creations from 1979 until his passing, showcasing his use of "lavoro" on various materials, including fabric, plexiglass, acetate, Kleenex, paper, and cardboard. Gaibazzi began as a caricaturist for local publications, transitioned to a pop art style inspired by Parma's architecture, and later became part of the Supports/Surfaces group influenced by Marxist-structuralist ideas. Curators revisit key exhibitions, including the 1979 event at Palazzo Dalla Rosa Prati and subsequent shows in 1981 and 1983, which featured works on rigid perspex and acetate. From 1986 onward, he shifted back to opaque materials, exploring texture through repeated use of "lavoro." The second floor expands the narrative to include contemporaries like Roman Opalka, Alighiero Boetti, and others who incorporated words or numbers in their art. The installation, crafted by Artan Shalsi, is noted for its meticulous balance. A catalog featuring an essay by Andrea Calzolari accompanies the retrospective.