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Molfetta Blues
October 21, 2011
Italy is a playground for the creative individuals. It has given birth to many influential movements, spearheading cultural revolutions throughout Western Europe and into the United States. From the Renaissance period, to the Dark Ages, and into the 21st century, art has transformed into a digital revolution. Yet, only a few still pay homage to the influential classical work and homogenize it with an ever changing culture.
A majority of your work brings an undertone of some political satire. There's a little Gestalt philosophy behind a lot of your art pieces that implements a theme of a "unified whole." How much of your ideas evolved from what was happening in Western Europe during the social movements of the 80's and 90's? De Molfetta: Thanks for talking about the Gestalt! I have much agreed on the Gestalt theory and the consequent studies on the layers of perceptions. This is why I like to think of my work as a sort of "pop psychology"; because it has the intent of unmasking roles of well-known characters from a psychological point of view. What in appearance looks like a mere association of thought, is actually the ripe fruit of a conceptual approach that gives birth to a visually tangible form. I love to start from universally known figures because these are more diffused and well known by the masses, and then thought is taken from there onward. I have been studying Literature as well as Art and my work talks about politics and satire in a veiled manner. However, I am no political activist. I think Art should be above politics, even though it uses political symbolism. I tend to be more observant and elaborative, and inevitably my work is a mirror of our contemporary era. 45Fresh: I tend to see art as timepieces, maybe that's a result of institutionalized art history courses I took in college. How do you think "Fatman or Nike Hitlair" would've been received during those social eras of the 80's & 90's? De Molfetta: I see works of Art as timepieces too. I don't allow Art to become decoration. I think artists have the great responsibility of dealing with form, because their work will stay in time and talk to further generations. It's hard to imagine a reaction in a previous decade, because these specific sculptures are a result of the present time and the society at this point. Because the world was different in the 80s/90s my work wouldn't have had the same effect on the public. Maybe the Nike Hitlair would have worked, due to the fact that that particular shoe model was already mass-produced in that period. But the Fatman wouldn't have made sense, it was an icon of power and perfection at that time (it still is now although revised in aesthetics), and fresh off the Tim Burton movie version, which is the look that inspired my Fatman. 45Fresh: Italy seems to be considered the Godfather of the art world dating as far back as 2nd century B.C. for its classical period and it took about 2000 years to birth the Macchiaioli impressionist movement. How did it only take you 15 years to break away from formal traditions? De Molfetta: That's it; Art is the number 1 resource of this country although it's not so taken care of. There are infinite beauties in every angle of this country although everyday life in Italy is not so appealing due to the political situation, the instability, the corruption, the mafias, and all the rest. I have studied Art History and I have a great respect for Classical Art and the great masters. This is why I somehow prefer classical approaches to Art (sculpture, painting, theater) and not the latest trends, such as digital arts, artificial photography or video-art. I see my works actually derived from previous Art eras! If the Macchiaioli or the abstracts or the conceptual artists or the land artist wouldn't have written their chapters, then we would be missing some terrain under our feet. I wouldn't call it breaking away from formal tradition; I would simply call it evolution. But I began my career painting, collaging and sculpting in order to build up what I wanted to arrive to, the result of which is what one sees in my work now. Furthermore, nowadays we have the influence of the media, accelerating the evolution. 45Fresh: I'm certain Statue of David admirers and art historians might be taken back by your Michel-angelo piece. Are you worried a deranged fan might take a hammer to the feet? De Molfetta: Well my Michel-angelo piece is a great homage to the greatest of sculptors in Art history. I think this is more of a tribute than a controversial work. It's an adaptation of the classical David to meet contemporary role requirements; hence he has dressed up with a very up-to-date Michelin man suit, which is white in color, just like he is. Smashing his feet? Don't know, it could be a possibility! Maybe in the future, when he will be in a museum and somebody will get angry with my intent of giving him a new "look"! 45Fresh: As Picasso once said, "Art is the lie that tells the truth." Do you think yours or other artists' work consistently needs to be explained? De Molfetta: I love this extract by Picasso. I think it's very true! When I look at other people's Art, I never want reference. I just want to be guided by what is my subjective aesthetical taste to appreciate it. If it "rings a bell" inside then there is no need for it to be explained. Or better, I love work that is genuinely emotional and intense, and out of our own experience and life education, we can judge an Artwork without needing further explanations. I know people who always need a hint, or a description, or an artist's foreword but I think that it's a pity because they're not letting themselves be carried away by their subjective feel. That's how Art's lies would tell the truth on our life. THANK YOU! ENJOY THE SHOW! 
(Michel-angelo's feet)
(Michel-angelo's penis)
(Michel-angelo's side profile)
(Standing approximately 5 ft. tall, Michel-angelo in all his glory)
(Michel-angelo 8 inch porcelain)
(Michel-angelo 8-inch porcelain close-up)
(Dictator Rabbits)
(Astrobese)
(Gone-Drake)
(Gundama. Was it drop bombs or drop babies?")
(Hitlair)
(Fatman)
Francesco de Molfetta's "Pop Fiction" art show is still ongoing till November 14th at the Toy Art Gallery. If you're itching to find out more about the artist's work, the staff there can really help you out. Availability and pricing is what you should ask about and just tell them 45 Fresh sent you. Or check out Molfetta's facebook page @ http://it-it.facebook.com/people/Francesco-de-Molfetta/1361522551. Toy Art Gallery 7571 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 View Larger Map |
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