The third exhibition of the Dep Art Out season in Ceglie Messapica, the summer venue of the Dep Art Gallery from Milan, is dedicated to the work of John Torreano (born 1941, Michigan, USA).
The show is organized in collaboration with the Thomas Brambilla Gallery and it opens on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Dep Art Out is an extraordinary place where art is showcased in innovative ways. The “trullo”, a globally recognized symbol of Puglia, is transformed into an extraordinary exhibition space, located in the countryside between Ceglie Messapica and Martina Franca.
In the enchanting setting of a Puglian trullo, John Torreano's exhibition represents an innovative dialogue between contemporary art and local tradition. The unique and fascinating architecture of the trulli has inspired the American artist, who chose to present some of his iconic Column Paintings: golden and black columns adorned with acrylic gems. These sculptures not only seamlessly integrate with the surrounding environment but also evoke the sacred and ritualistic, symbolizing altars and votive lights.
The Column Paintings series, the result of Torreano's extensive research journey, explores the idea of a multifaceted artistic language, breaking away from modernist minimalism. The wooden columns penetrate the space with a physical presence and an illusionistic semicircular curve, inviting viewers to interact equally with the artwork, thus transforming each spectator into a co-author of the experience.
Torreano's exhibition in the trullo of Ceglie Messapica celebrates the fusion of modernity and tradition, inviting the audience to explore new perspectives on the perception and relationship between the artwork and its beholders.
