Versus: Martina Cavallarin and Gabriele Salvaterra on Depth and Surface in Art
In the latest installment of the Versus series on Artribune, curator Martina Cavallarin and artist Gabriele Salvaterra debate the interplay between depth and surface in artistic practice. Cavallarin, referencing Walter Benjamin, argues that an artist's strength lies in an obsessive idea, not in vertical or horizontal exploration. Salvaterra contends that depth emerges on the surface, and that contemporary artists must be eclectic and adaptable. They discuss the roles of narcissism, ineptitude, and androgyny in art, citing figures like Matisse, Bonnard, Lichtenstein, Jaar, Boltanski, and Geers. The conversation is moderated by Vincenzo Merola.
Key facts
- Versus series features Martina Cavallarin and Gabriele Salvaterra.
- Cavallarin is a curator; Salvaterra is an artist.
- Cavallarin cites Walter Benjamin: 'Boredom is the enchanted bird that hatches the egg of experience.'
- Salvaterra says depth is unknowable and only accessible through surface.
- Artists mentioned include Matisse, Bonnard, Lichtenstein, Jaar, Boltanski, Geers.
- Cavallarin references Platonic androgyny and Balzac's Seraphita.
- Salvaterra references Svevo's 'inetto' and Musil's 'man without qualities.'
- The interview is part of Artribune's Versus series.
- Versus series includes 18 previous editions with various critics and artists.
- The article was published on Artribune in May 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Martina Cavallarin
- Gabriele Salvaterra
- Walter Benjamin
- Henri Matisse
- Pierre Bonnard
- Roy Lichtenstein
- Alfredo Jaar
- Christian Boltanski
- Kendell Geers
- Honoré de Balzac
- Plato
- Italo Svevo
- Robert Musil
- Maurice Merleau-Ponty
- Vincenzo Merola
Institutions
- Artribune
Locations
- Campobasso
- Italy