“Art is always a story behind appearances.”
Anonymous
Among the characteristics of aluminium is corrosion resistance, that is, the ability of this metal to resist the action of external agents. This happens because, in contact with oxygen, a film, a protective layer, is created on the surface of aluminium, which is thin and resistant. It is as if the metal puts in place a kind of defense mechanism, protection, integrity, to endure the weather and external aggression,in order not to lose its physical and chemical characteristics. Beneath the surface, aluminium remains itself and preserves its peculiarities. A natural process that can be said to be analogous to the reactions of human beings, who often, in order to defend themselves, mask their feelings, personal and true psychological and spiritual traits.
“Aluminium, beneath the surface,” starting from a specific property of this metal, wants to be an encouragement to aim at the heart of things, to express in art what is often hidden behind appearances, what leaks out, what is not immediately visible and delineable, what is hidden. Art after all by its nature is also forwarding into the invisible, probing the inner spaces of existence.
THE JURY
GIORGIO AGNISOLA
Critico d’arte e scrittore, docente
Presidente di Giuria
Giorgio Agnisola has long worked as a consultant for Modern and Contemporary Art within the framework of international agreements for cultural exchanges. Since 1990, he has contributed to the cultural pages of the daily newspaper Avvenire, particularly to the “Art” section. He is a sociétaire member of the International Association of Art Critics and a member of the Société Internationale de Psychopathologie de l’Expression. He has organized exhibitions of international significance, such as “Symbolism in Belgium” (1985) at the Royal Palace of Caserta in collaboration with the Belgian Government; “Italy-Luxembourg, Confrontations” (2002) in collaboration with the Embassy of Luxembourg in Italy; and “Alberto Magnelli, Works 1915-1970” at the Civic Gallery of Gaeta. He is a consultant for Contemporary Sacred Art to the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI). Agnisola teaches Sacred Art at the Pontifical Theological Faculty of Southern Italy, where he also serves as co-director of the School of Advanced Studies in Art and Theology. He has authored numerous books and curated various exhibitions in Italy and abroad. As an art critic and journalist, he has contributed as an Italian correspondent for international photography and art magazines such as Aperture (New York), HotShoe (London), Eyemazing (Amsterdam), Muse (Milan), Around Photography (Bologna), and FotoCult (Rome). He has received two international honors for his work as an art critic: Chevalier de l’Ordre de Leopold II in Belgium and Officier de l’Ordre de Mérite in Luxembourg. Bruno di Marcello dedicated a book to his career, titled Giorgio Agnisola, dell’arte della critica (2000). Recently, he received the prestigious “Montale Fuori Casa” award, a recognition for his journalistic criticism. He has written numerous books, with the most recent ones being La Materia trasparente (2021), Henri Matisse – Joy of Life (2022), What Sacred Art Today? (2023), and The Broken Love (2023).
ALESSANDRO BERTRAMI
Journalist and Art Historian
Alessandro Bertrami (born 1977) is an art historian with a degree from the Università Cattolica in Milan, a professional pianist, and a professional journalist. He is the deputy editor of the cultural section of the daily newspaper Avvenire, where he focuses on topics related to art, architecture, and cultural policies. He is also part of the editorial team for the monthly cultural magazine Luoghi dell’Infinito, where he regularly writes about the relationship between art and the sacred, particularly regarding contemporary issues and artistic languages. He is the author of numerous articles and critical essays. He lives in Lodi.
BRUNA ESPOSITO
Artist
In the field of visual arts, he works primarily with drawing, installation, photography, video, performance, and site-specific projects. He has participated in prestigious institutional exhibitions, including the Rome Quadriennale (2021, 2008, 1996), the Cuenca Biennial in Ecuador (2016), the New Orleans Biennial in the USA (2008), the Gwanjiu Biennial in South Korea (2004), the Istanbul Biennial in Turkey (2003), Sonsbeek 9 in Arnhem, Netherlands (2001), the Venice Biennale (1999, 2005), and Documenta X in Kassel, Germany (1997). His awards include the 9th Edition of the Italian Council Prize, MIC, Rome (2021), selection for the Chamber of Deputies Prize for the 150th Anniversary of Italian Unification, Palazzo Montecitorio, Rome (2011), the National Prize for Young Italian Art, MAXXI, Rome (2001), P.S.1 Italian Program, New York, USA (1999), and the Golden Lion at the 48th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale with the group pavilion Dapertutto, Venice (1999). He is currently part of the Research Fellowship program at the Museum of Civilizations in Rome and teaches sculpture techniques at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome.
STEFANO TACCONE
Art History Professor, Freelance Curator, Journalist
Born in Naples in 1981, he is a critic and curator with a PhD in Archaeological and Art Historical Research Methods from the University of Salerno. From 2013 to 2015, he taught contemporary art history at RUFA – Rome University of Fine Arts. His published monographs include Hans Haacke. Il contesto politico come materiale (Plectica, 2010); La contestazione dell’arte. La pratica artistica verso la vita in area campana. Da Giuseppe Desiato agli esordi dell’arte nel sociale (Iod, 2015); and La radicalità dell’avanguardia (Ombre Corte, 2017). He has also authored two volumes of short stories and poetry collections. He regularly contributes to the magazines Segno and OperaViva Magazine. His writings have appeared in magazines such as Boîte, sdefinizioni, Roots§Routes, Titolo, Tracce, and undo.net. He currently teaches art history at the secondary school level.
MARIA GABRIELLA MAZZOLA
Manager del settore alluminio
Running the company COMEL Industrie. with her brother Adriano and sister Luisa, she combines technical-business preparation with organizational and coordination skills, bringing the company new guidelines such as attention to communication, innovation and marketing. She has always supported, personally and with the company, cultural activities in favour of the territory and animal protection. In December 2012 Maria Gabriella received an award for entrepreneurial merits from the “Nuova Immagine Latina Cultural Association”. She is president of the “VANNA MIGLIORIN Cultural Association” which promotes contemporary intellectual and artistic works to the public, in all their forms and expressions. Among the various activities of the association, the promotion of the COMEL Award and the organization of monographic exhibitions dedicated to artists of international fame.
THE 13 FINALISTS
