Tiziano Scarpa's 'Il brevetto del geco' Dissects the Art World's Surreal Conventions
Tiziano Scarpa's 2016 novel 'Il brevetto del geco' (Einaudi) explores the realm of contemporary art, highlighting the absurdities of the art industry. The main character, Federico Morpio, a bitter artist in his forties, produces video portraits that showcase bacteria. His artistic journey parallels that of real-life creators: 1996-1999 (Academy), 1999-2002 (web bubble), 2003-2007 (limited work), 2007-2013 (minimal work), and 2013-present (various jobs). Meanwhile, Adele discovers spirituality through art. The narrative critiques the art scene, pointing out its separation from reality and advocating for the integration of life's chaos into artistic expression. Morpio's insights during a Venice Biennale event highlight the importance of confronting fear. This book is vital for artists, curators, and audiences—the 'Operators of the Submerged World.'
Key facts
- Tiziano Scarpa's novel 'Il brevetto del geco' is reviewed by Luca Bertolo on Artribune.
- The book is published by Einaudi, Torino, 2016, 336 pages, €20, ISBN 9788806203115.
- Protagonist Federico Morpio is a prototype of many forty-something Italian artists resentful of a system that rejected them.
- Morpio creates video portraits that digitally zoom into faces to show bacteria and biological micro-worlds.
- Morpio's life timeline: 1996-1999 Academy paid by parents; 1999-2002 web bubble; 2003-2007 illustrations, web (scarce); 2007-2013 illustrations, web (little); 2013-today odd jobs (very little); tomorrow ???.
- Parallel story: Adele discovers faith through art, recovering a dimension akin to Hans Belting's 'pre-history of art'.
- Pages on Dan Flavin's unrealized installation for Santa Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa, Milan (1996) are highlighted.
- The novel suggests breaking the art world's barrier to let in life and reality.
- The review is written by Christian Caliandro, art historian and professor at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.
- The article is published on Artribune, which also offers newsletters: Incanti (art market), Render (urban regeneration), PAX (cultural tourism).
Entities
Artists
- Tiziano Scarpa
- Luca Bertolo
- Federico Morpio
- Dan Flavin
- Hans Belting
- Christian Caliandro
- Robert Smithson
Institutions
- Einaudi
- Artribune
- Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze
- Symbola Fondazione per le Qualità italiane
- Santa Maria Annunciata in Chiesa Rossa
- Biennale di Venezia
Locations
- Torino
- Italy
- Milan
- Venice