Gloria Porcella, a fourth-generation Italian Art Gallerist, officially opened the Galleria Ca’ d’Oro in the Chelsea section of Manhattan with “Beyond the Matter,” presenting Italian artist Michelangelo Bastiani’s holographic artworks. This is Bastiani’s first solo show in New York City and was a successful evening with the likes of Enrico Bruni of Calvin Klein, Italian Vice Consul Chiara Saulle, Julian Navarro, Director of Context Art Fair and Ireland’s socialite Ainsley Quinn of Fans First.
According to the press release, Bastiani uses technology to illustrate and explore the theme of liquidness, with water representing the constantly changing intrinsic nature of art. “Beyond the Matter” consists of kinetic images and video clips of volumetric and realistic video holograms, reflected through LED screens inside glass bottles.
The Italian artist Bastiani says, “Water, and liquidness in general, is my preferred field of investigation. For instance, an artificial lake might take shape in a room and, thanks to digital techniques, the spectator becomes an integral part of the work by simply passing in front of it, thus becoming a part of the kinetic process. Analog and digital blend in these holograms which are enclosed in transparent bottles and jars, and direct interaction from the viewer results in infinite variables. The relationship between work and observer become stronger transforming what we imagine as the traditional ‘passive’ visit into an ‘active’ experience.”
Bastiani and gallerists Porcella are both ,well recognized in the art world and very engaging at the opening. Their patrons and VIP’s seemed to enjoy the opening night of art d’objects d’ vitrinas.