raro@raffaelerossi.com
Raffaele Rossi
Born 1951
Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Notable exhibitions: 2009: Terra d’Arezzo group exhibition, Centro Affari, Arezzo, Italy
2015: Ritratti group exhibition, Centro Affari, Arezzo, Italy 2021: Paesaggi - group exhibition, Fraternita dei Laici Institution Arezzo, Italy
2023: Inclinazioni astrattte – group exhibition , gallery Rosy Boa, Arezzo,Italy
Collected by:
[2000] Trivium-building, Amsterdam, Nederland
[2002] Waterschap Noorderzijlvest, Gronigen, Nederland
[2004] Waterleidingbedrijf Gemanta Amstedam, Nederland
[2004] Municipal Office Slotervaart/O. V. Amsterdam
[2005] Main-Office Waternet, Amsterdam, Nederland
[2020] Museum Fraternita dei Laici, Arezzo, Italy
Artistic discipline: contemporary painter
Specify medium: acrylic, oil, pigments on wooden panels
Best known for: Abstract landscape
Subject matter: vision of a wayfarer
Important projects or series: landscape – vision of a wayfarer
Introduction
Raffaele Rossi's latest collection, "Landscape: Vision of a Wayfarer," represents a bold departure from conventional artistic norms, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the natural world. Through abstract interpretations of the landscape, Rossi transcends traditional boundaries, inviting audiences to marvel at the wonders hidden beneath the surface. As both an artist and architect, Rossi brings a unique perspective to his work, forging a profound connection between the built environment and the natural landscape. His paintings serve as windows into a realm where intellect converges with emotion, sparking a sense of wonder and curiosity in those who behold them.
Technique and Medium
In his quest to capture the essence of the landscape, Rossi employs a meticulous technique that reflects his architectural background and his deep reverence for the natural world. Working on framed wooden panels, Rossi creates a relief structure using a variety of materials, including acrylic plaster, cardboard, and fabric. This foundation provides a solid surface upon which he can build intricate layers of color and texture, utilizing a blend of acrylics, oils, and pigments. Through careful manipulation of these elements, Rossi imbues his compositions with a crystallized movement, evoking the dynamic energy of the natural world. His appreciation for the splendor of gold, reminiscent of the gilded backgrounds found in fourteenth-century paintings, adds a touch of opulence and grandeur to his creations.
Philosophical Underpinnings
At the core of Rossi's artistic practice lies a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of perception and representation. By abstracting the landscape, Rossi challenges viewers to look beyond the surface and contemplate the hidden complexities that lie beneath. His paintings serve as metaphors for the human experience, inviting us to explore the interplay between form and substance, reality and illusion. Through his transformative vision, Rossi seeks to awaken a sense of wonder and marvel in his audience, encouraging them to see the world through new eyes. In doing so, he reaffirms the enduring power of art to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
Closing Sentence
In essence, Raffaele Rossi's "Landscape: Vision of a Wayfarer" collection represents a triumph of artistic innovation and intellectual inquiry. Through his masterful technique and profound philosophical insights, Rossi invites us to embark on a journey of discovery, where the boundaries between perception and reality dissolve, giving way to a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Landscape: Reflections on the Human-Nature Relationship through the Wanderer's Visions
Throughout history, the concept of landscape has undergone significant evolution, reflecting the different views and relationships that humans have established with the surrounding nature. In the Greek worldview, nature was conceived as an immutable backdrop, while in the Christian perspective, after the fall, man was designated as the master of nature, capable of modifying it according to his will.
However, with the advancement of technology and the advent of modernity, there has been an increase in the wear and tear of nature. Technology has led to the acquisition and domination of nature by humans, who have treated natural entities as mere means. This enhancement of technology has had serious consequences on the climate balance and the ecosystem, with the release of a frightening amount of chemical compounds and toxic waste that have polluted rivers, seas, and lands, irreparably threatening life on Earth.
The philosopher Martin Heidegger emphasized how the use of land has turned into land exploitation, while biologist E.O. Wilson pointed out how humanity has become the first species in the history of life to become a geophysical force. This scenario has led to a new landscape, characterized by a sense of disorientation and disenchantment with the world.
In this context, the figure of the wanderer emerges, representing a new form of freedom. The wanderer is no longer the sovereign who dominates his realm, but the one who moves without a defined destination, who does not even control his own path. As Friedrich Nietzsche stated, the wanderer does not tie his heart to anything in particular but finds joy in change and transience.
In the absence of general principles, the wanderer is called upon to make decisions case by case, to face the difficulties of the journey with the means available at the time. This gives rise to a kind of ethics of the wanderer, who adapts to changes in the landscape and appreciates the gifts it offers.
The visions of the landscape are multiple and varied. There are materialistic paintings that express the materiality of nature crossed and wounded by the presence of man. There are rational landscapes, organized according to ideal proportions, and emotional landscapes, which offer the pure sensory enjoyment of a landscape glimpsed and discovered in the wanderer's wandering.
In conclusion, the relationship between man and nature, reflective of the various landscape views, reveals the complexity of our existence and prompts us to reflect on our role within the Earth's ecosystem. The wanderer, with his freedom and openness to change, represents a valuable perspective for facing the challenges of the present and the future.