Stefano Arienti's 'Antipolvere' Opens at Galleria Civica di Modena

Stefano Arienti's exhibition 'Antipolvere' at Galleria Civica di Modena presents a 25-year survey of his drawing practice, from early works like 1991 tracings of Gustave Doré to new productions. The title references the dust sheets he uses as drawing supports and suggests 'dusting off' old works and masterpieces. Arienti, born in Asola in 1961 and based in Milan, treats images as material, copying, photocopying, and reproducing them through various processes. The show includes works from public and private collections alongside new pieces, with 'discarded' commissions becoming independent works. Highlights include 'Copie di studio' (2010) photocopy books available to the public, 'I nomi di Ciserano' (a community project with embroidered names), and studies for Kartellmuseo in Milan and Zegnart in Tokyo. The exhibition features a room with digital projections of Arienti's drawings (from series 'La Danza delle polveri', 'Inversione Libro Fenice', 'Inversione pitture') alongside tempera drawings on paper. Arienti's approach is non-reverential, engaging with masters like El Greco and Romanino, emphasizing the materiality of images and the freedom to interact with them.