Wal's Playful Sculptures Invade Rome's Casina delle Civette
Walter Guidobaldi's inaugural solo exhibition in Rome takes place at the Casina delle Civette, a villa known for its blend of medieval and Liberty styles, adorned with stained glass windows crafted by Picchio's workshop between 1914 and 1920. The garden features around fifty plump children alongside whimsical fairy-tale creatures. Guidobaldi, born in Reggio Emilia in 1949, has produced works over the past decade using materials such as porcelain, glass, and bronze, reflecting his conceptual art roots and Pop Art influences. He became part of the Nuovi-nuovi movement in 1980, which is grounded in postmodernism. His current sculptures showcase a playful fusion of comic imagery and historical iconography, creating a fantastical realm of lively putti and animals.
Key facts
- Walter Guidobaldi (Wal) has his first Roman solo show at Casina delle Civette in Villa Torlonia, Rome.
- The exhibition features about fifty sculptures of chubby children and fairy-tale animals.
- Works were created in the last decade using diverse materials including porcelain, maiolica, terracotta, glass, aluminum, iron, wood, cast iron, bronze, polystyrene, PVC, and papier-mâché.
- Wal was co-opted by Renato Barilli into the Nuovi-nuovi movement in 1980.
- The stained glass windows of Casina delle Civette were made between 1914 and 1920 by master Picchio's workshop.
- Duilio Cambellotti was among the artists who designed the stained glass windows.
- The exhibition includes works like 'Giocoliere' (2014) and 'Barabà ciccì coccoò' (2012-13).
- The article quotes Plato's Laws: 'Man is a kind of toy constructed by the gods.'
Entities
Artists
- Walter Guidobaldi (Wal)
- Duilio Cambellotti
- Renato Barilli
- Cesare Biasini Selvaggi
Institutions
- Casina delle Civette
- Villa Torlonia
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Reggio Emilia