Pivi and Cavaliere's Mosaic Dialogue at Ravenna's MAR

At the MAR museum in Ravenna, the exhibition 'Prodigy Kid' pairs Leonardo Pivi (b. 1965, Cesena) and Francesco Cavaliere (b. 1980, Piombino) in a dialogue that bridges mosaic tradition and contemporary art. Curated by Daniele Torcellini, the show is a highlight of the VII Biennale del Mosaico, which aims to position Ravenna as a global hub for mosaic art. The artists, who have worked symbiotically since 2018, explore gaps and absences left by archaeology, filling them with imaginative works. Pivi's 'Mystica' (2003) uses ancient techniques to merge pop iconography with a sandy past, while Cavaliere's 'Time Machine for 7 object' (2012) incorporates found objects. The exhibition also features historical pieces, such as a 1st-century wall painting of Bes from the MANN in Naples and a 17th-century book from Ulisse Aldrovandi's 'Monstrorum Historia'. The title references the legendary 'monster of Ravenna', a prodigy child whose story is partly oral and partly documented. The show invites viewers to abandon logical reasoning and embrace the irrational, emphasizing that monsters belong to their time.