“Roberto Piaia presents Navitas” Church San Domenico Andria – Puglia- Italy 19th - 30th of April, 2015 City of Andria | Puglia Region | Bat Province and Fondazione G.B.Cima of Conegliano Presents Roberto Piaia, the well-established painter and sculptor of Venetian origins, has premiered the innovative double helix shaped statue.
Andria,
(informazione.it - comunicati stampa - arte e cultura)
Created in a precious statuary white marble "Navitas", the Latin word for energy, in the wonderful arts complex of the Church of San Domenico located in the historic center of the City of Andria in Puglia. The work can be admired in this holy location between the19th and 30th of April, 2015, to then be transferred to the Sanctuary of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo during the subsequent month of May.
Returned to its original splendor after recent renovations, the Gothic style church of San Domenico which over the centuries has been a real highlight for the City of Andria as a cultural center, now welcomes, within its invaluable walls, the very original double helix shaped work of Master Roberto Piaia, made of precious Carrara statuary marble.
“Leveraging the strength of this form (first of its kind) he is able to portray a harmonious female figure standing on her tiptoes, with her eyes void of any pupils to indicate introspection, her body wrapped in a spiral and with her hands in a mystical position, called Mudra, which is one of the symbolic Oriental gestures attributing the meaning of seal of energy."
Spiritual energy which increases through contemplation and prayer, unifying at once all those religions with the aspiration of overcoming divisions and human conflicts through faith.
"Navitas", the Latin word for energy, zeal, commitment, tenacity, is the title of this charming work, and it’s definitely through these qualities that the artist has managed to complete it, demonstrating an undeniable genius and ability of execution.
“Only a great compositional experience as a painter and a deep knowledge of materials have allowed Roberto Piaia to realize his "dream", after years of intense research where nothing was left to chance, bordering utopia, he overcame the challenge posed by the laws of gravity through a Machiavellian type study of solids and voids".
Therefore, this is how this superb work with harmonic and dynamic traits was born, innovative and unique in its genre, where the same coil shape liberates the sculpture from any material constraints; it is in fact lightweight, able to free itself from human limitations and heaviness to soar over the sky and reach the vital energy of the universe, from which the spiral itself is an ancestral symbol.
This primordial symbol also indicates the prevalence of the spirit in the construction of the story, thus testifying the moral force necessary for the evolution process of a global society. Reading between the lines, the artist also expresses this concept through the small African animal carved into the side of the work: the Suricata. This tame-looking mammal, which is tolerant of other species sharing sometimes their hideout, at the same time is very defensive of their own group, in this case it’s watching over the woman gathered in prayer. Some bronzes of Master Piaia, created through the process of investment casting, will also be presented in these mystical contexts for this occasion.
“A warm thank you to all those who have worked hard and contributed to the realization of this event: the City of Andria with its Mayor, Nicola Giorgino, the Councillor of Culture, Antonio Nespoli; Prof. Vincenzo D'Avanzo and Vincenzo Posa; the Bishop and the Priests of the Church of San Domenico of Andria and the Minor Friars Capuchin of San Giovanni Rotondo who promptly welcomed the initiative, fully aware that the combination of artworks and vibrant churches of Christian people in prayer, can only merge into a world of harmony and peace”.
Roberto Piaia is also grateful for the hospitality, typical of the people from the wonderful land of Puglia.
Sponsor:
For the contribution: Municipality Andria
The Vernissage: Association Gal: the City of Castel del Monte | galcdm.it
The Wine: Conegliano – Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superior, offered by company
“il Colle” | proseccoilcolle.it