La popolazione agiata del pianeta gode di innumerevoli diritti ed è tutelata dalle autorità, questà è di per sé una fortuna poiché i poveri del pianeta devono ancora lottare per la sola sopravvivenza fisica. Il benessere, la comodità e i diritti però sono oggi spesso fraintesi dall’uomo occidentale che li percepisce come un fine e non come un mezzo perdendosi completamente in essi. Il più importante diritto dell’uomo è un diritto naturale del quale lui solo può volontariamente privarsi, è il diritto alla libertà e conoscenza di se stesso e/o ossia del Tutto. Il confronto impavido con le condizioni di vita e con le Realtà è come una caccia in territori sterminati. Decifrando le tracce e con un’attenzione costante, potremo ritrovare la strada. (Matteo Bergamasco, Italian Artist)
The Cain Schulte Art Gallery in San Francisco was this years setting for the annual Baia Winter mix on December 8. While enjoying wine and appetizers offered by Café Renzo, a mix of young and seasoned professionals, entrepreneurs, and the extended BAIA Community had the opportunity to mix and mingle while admiring the innovative creations presented in the MAGNA CARTA-ART/PAPER exhibition.
Curated by the directors Marina Cain and Kit Schulte, the exposition seeks to highlight the universal and contemporary relevance of the issues emanating from the Magna Carta in today’s increasingly globalized world. A cross cultural sections of international artists was selected to display personal explorations on the contemporary issues of protection of personal freedom, individual rights and unlawful imprisonment. The works on display range from small charcoal and ink drawings to large experimental sculptures.
Thanks to Silvia Girardi Art, BAIA’s sponsor and friend, two Italians artists were represented in this exhibition as well: Matteo Bergamasco and Daniele Girardi. We asked them some questions about their works and how they relate to this important 13th-century legal document, a key element in the radical transformation of constitutional thought.
Q: The Magna Carta is widely considered the most important legal document in the history of democracy, the first attempt to establish individual liberties for the public as a whole. How can its principles still be considered relevant in the world of contemporary globalization?
Daniele Girardi: “In the new globalized world, information is accessible worldwide. the Internet is a giant container of messages and is somehow a universal document where anyone can write and express themselves. You can picture it as a democratic document where news circulates free and fast. It can be thought of as an extension of ideas, a knowledge base of the world and its messages of peace, brotherhood and freedom, are timeless.”
Matteo Bergamasco: “The Magna Carta, besides specific content, has been considered as a symbol of freedom granted to the people. This was an important step considering the past of slavery and abuse. However we need to be careful because a document that grants rights, in reality hides a strong statement: there is a superior power that gives rights to individuals in order to not crush them under its boot. This kind of logic shouldn’t exist in a society meant as an organism were people self-regulate themselves in peace and harmony without laws and legislation. In order to arrive to this point, the individuals need to mature and form a collective consciousness."
What inspired you to work on paper?
DG: “The Magna Carta opened the way to freedom and individual rights. I see it as a journey toward the conquest of rights, of a territory, of emancipation and an infinite road looking for freedom. This project on paper represents an attempt to travel these long roads where undefined visions are present. It is a journey toward the unknown but more important it is a journey to find ourselves. The road is an icon to our freedom and the right to access it.”
MB: “My work displayed at the exhibition is made using a simple and fast technique, and you can imagine it as a journey, a story made by the same protagonist. The paper I used for this work is also cut in an unusual way making it more like a antique than a modern work. The Magna Carta becomes a small piece of paper, absolutely subjective and more like a personal journal. However all the individuals are united by the idea of the journey and in this way it becomes universal.”
Both their works explore intimate views of the concept of Magna Carta, and this is one of the major intents of Silvia Girardi. Promoting emerging, as well as established artists with an emphasis on the renewal over the past decade of the italian art scene in painting, sculpture photography and new media.
In light of the next Baia Event on Women Entrepreneurs, the US vs. the European/Italian Experience, we asked Silvia Girardi about her personal experience as woman entrepreneur:
Silvia Girardi: “As with many art dealers, it was a passion that inspired my business. Love of the art in all its forms, a strong network of artists that I developed in Italy and the vibrant art scene in San Francisco brought me to this field in 2005. I started representing a group of five Italian artists due to personal connections and admiration for their work I believed their works could have done well so I started to have a curiosity for the entrepreneurial side of the art world. Cultivating a network of artists and simultaneously establishing connections with art galleries, collectors and museums, was the first step. In the first two years of business in San Francisco these artists took part in group shows, while also having solo shows and press coverage throughout the country. Networking was and still is the main focus of my activities. It is all about meeting people and maintaining relationships over time.I had the chance to meet inspiring women art dealers and entrepreneurs from whom I eagerly “stole” their talents in networking and event planning.The connection with Italy is definitely a plus. In California I have found a real audience of art lovers who are interested in Italian art, craft, design and culture in general. I speak to that audience as well as to the international audience. My key words are: be passionate, don’t expect success overnight, take risks and expect the unexpected!”
Looking forward to seeing you all on January 19, 2011 for the Baia Panel Women Entrepreneurs, the US vs. the European/Italian Experience.
Rossella Florio
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