Enrico Castellani

About

Dominique Lévy is pleased to present the first solo exhibition in London by Enrico Castellani, with whom the gallery has worked since its inception in 2012. Opening in February 2016 at the gallery’s Old Bond Street space, the exhibition explores the ways in which painting can occupy three-dimensional space by showcasing recent as well as historical works by the artist, most of which are on view in London for the first time. A selection of Castellani’s large-scale shaped relief canvases Superfici bianche (White Surfaces) are presented in juxtaposition with recent angular metallic paintings titled Biangolare cromato (Bi-angular Chrome) and Angolare cromato (Angular Chrome), the latter of which Castellani installs in corners. These white and metallic works are placed in dialogue with one another, highlighting the ambient light and shadow effects that occur as the works activate the architectural space in which they are situated. These three-dimensional paintings are complemented by the recent sculpture Spartito, in which Castellani references a seminal work made in 1969 by bolting hundreds of sheets of paper together, creating a biomorphic minimalist form.

The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive book featuring a newly commissioned essay by Angela Vettese, former President of the International Jury of the Venice Biennale and director of the graduate programme at the Università Iuav di Venezia. This publication also includes a rarely seen interview between Castellani and Hans-Ulrich Obrist from 2009, which provides meaningful insight into the themes and concepts that have played an important role in the artist’s oeuvre.