The "Vade retro" exhibition in Florence. Play with infantrymen, but leave the saints!
A reflection by Lucio
I visited in Florence the discussed exhibition "Vade retro. Art and homosexuality"And "I don't know how to explain the origin of the scandal: obscenity? But where? vilification of religion? When ever? For me they are evidently pretexts: the scandal is in the word" homosexuality "that must not even be pronounced: it is a crime nefarious (ne-fandum, not to say!), A visibility not tolerated".
I visited the exhibition on Sunday: "Retro goes: art and homosexuality"(At the royal building, practically in the SM Novella station in Florence), a little moved by the interest, a little from the scandal aroused.
I am not an expert in modern art, but I am interested in it and I am having fun and, when I can, I also go to see! I had negative prejudices regarding this exhibition (including visceral antipathy for the organizer Sgarbi); I did not understand what the title means: art of homosexual artists, with homosexual subjects, seen with the eyes of homosexuals, and in any case: did this classification make sense? Given the exhibition, I have not yet understood the answer. It seems to me the organizers generally mean "figure" works (portraits, situations) with a more or less homo atmosphere.
They range from works of the beginning of the century (the famous Sicilian photos of Baron Von Goeden, to the splashes of De Pisis) through the 80s (among the most famous the photos of Mapplethope, Bruce Weber and Tom of Filando's designs) up to contemporary artists who are the part of the lion.
They are paintings, sculptures, photos and videos; There are not many works,: in an hour I have "seen" everything. I liked some works and I found them significant and original.
It could be talked about, even comparing with what we saw at the recent Venice Biennale (closed last week), but I don't think this is not the place.
But this exhibition has become famous for other reasons! The notoriety, alas, came to her from the censorship: the exhibition, organized by Vittorio Sgarbi (who is not the curator) Councilor for Culture of Milan, was rejected by Letizia Moratti, mayor of Milan, and others; So he did not open in Milan and found "political refuge" in Florence, where he still aroused some controversy, but at least he was able to see it! And good Florence! On the coherence of Moratti and Sgarbi, who continue undaunted to be together mayor and councilor of the "moral capital" of Italy, I don't know what to say!
Given the exhibition, I can't explain the origin of the scandal: obscenity? But where? Vilification of religion? When ever? For me they are evidently pretexts: the scandal is in the word "homosexuality" that must not even be pronounced: it is a crime nefando (ne-fandum, not to say!), A visibility not tolerated.
The concrete pretext (the "Casus Belli" would be to say), is a polychrome terracotta that portrays an old disguise that smiles winking: it is clearly a portrait of Benedetto (or in any case it is very similar to him: the title is Miss Kitty). It is a work that I liked: I found it ironic, a little sad and thinly disturbing; It is a personal opinion; But it certainly cannot be considered blasphemous! I would therefore like to understand the reasons for the censorship!
Everything is extremely serious: enough, in Italy, also touch the pope's image to be electrocuted! Don't name the Pope in vain! First commandment! And there is not even a need for the official ecclesiastical intervention: politicians think about intervening disdained in defense of the "Christian" values.
Play with infantrymen, but leave the saints alone, like the old proverb! Poor Christ! It has become a obvious thing and we got used to, this blasphemous use of Christianity for dirty interests of power. The question I ask myself, and that I do to you, is this: is being shut up and being "resigned" is not a serious form of complicity? But, on the other hand, how to react effectively?
I think of the magnificent (in the opinion of all critics) installation of Maurizio Cattelan (one of the great contemporary Italian artists, who no coincidence that he no longer lives in Italy) with the meteorite who entered the ceiling and hit Pope John Paul II, and the controversy aroused (without however obtaining the removal from the Biennale). Maybe once again will the artists save us?
Vade retro - Art and homosexuality from Von Gloeden to Pierre & Gilles
Florence - Royal Palazzina, Piazza ADUA 50 | From 27 October 2007 to 6 January 2008
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 14.00 to 22.00; Friday, from 14.00 to 24.00; Saturday and Sunday, from 11.00 to 22.00; Closed Monday
Tickets: full 7 euros, reduced 5 euros
