Salvo and Boetti: A Dialogue in Lugano

The exhibition 'Salvo e Boetti. Un dialogo a Lugano' at MASI Lugano explores the artistic relationship between Salvo (Leonforte, 1947 – Turin, 2015) and Alighiero Boetti (Turin, 1940 – Rome, 1994). The show is divided into two macro-sections: the first, 'Parallel Works,' includes subsections 'Image of the Self,' 'Making Sentences,' 'Tautologies,' 'Thinking Time,' and 'Maps,' highlighting their mutual creative influence. The second section addresses their artistic divergence after Boetti moved to Rome in 1972. Salvo focused on painting, depicting travel destinations like Sicily with fluid, sunny colors, while Boetti pursued conceptual expression involving artisan collaboration. Key works include Boetti's 'Mappe' (1979 and 1983) and Salvo's '77 pittori italiani' (1975) and '29 Siciliani' (1976). The Olgiati Collection contributes 30 works, recreating the Arte Povera context inspired by critic Germano Celant, featuring pieces by Marisa and Mario Merz, Pistoletto, Gilardi, Fabro, and others. The exhibition opens with Salvo's provocative inscription 'Sono il migliore' on a black stone, setting the tone for the dialogue.