Pietrasanta (Lucca), August 5, 2022 – Versilia celebrates the Mid-August on behalf of the fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the Riace bronzes. In Marina di Pietrasanta, tourists and residents can admire the bronze copies made between 1990 and 1995 by the artistic foundry Massimo Del Chiaro while they are being deposited on the seabed as part of a project by Federica Rotondo of Once Extraordinary Events.
The appointment is for Sunday August 14 at the Pontile di Tonfano, from 10.30 a.m. The two life-size giants, You will be returned to the sea who was her keeper until August 16, 1972, the date of her discovery.
Sara Vittorio Sgarbi for the launch of the underwater exhibition which will last over a year. Incidentally, the two author’s reproductions had already aroused the interest of the well-known critic, so that Sgarbi presented them himself last October on the occasion of the exhibition “False in art. Alfeo Dossena and the Italian Renaissance Sculpture”. Only in 2023, at the end of the exhibition, will we be able to appreciate and admire the effect of the interaction between sea and bronze.
“An idea that immediately excited me,” said the mayor of Pietrasanta, Alberto Stefano Giovannetti – not only from an artistic but also from a scientific point of view. Artistic because Pietrasanta and the skills of one of its most famous foundries become the protagonists of one of the two historical anniversary, for national and international culture: 50 years since the discovery of the “Bronzi of Riace”. Scientific, because for a year our coast becomes a kind of “study room” to monitor day by day the action of the sea water on the bronze. In addition, this will be a fundamental experience for our offices, which for some time have been working on the new Marine Park of Contemporary Art with the valuable support of the Harbor Master’s office and Captain Alessandro Russo”.
“I still remember the emotions of the first encounter with the Riace bronzes. This beauty reached us from the depths of the centuries, and the sea to talk to us about men and women of another time, another world. Fifty years after their discovery, the bronzes still impress us with their mysterious beauty. I congratulate all those who have made this initiative possible, which has chosen a beautiful and evocative way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this important discovery. Being able to face our history opens up the possibility of building a future where man can still be a responsible protagonist,” stated Cristina Giachi, President of the Commission for Cultural Heritage and Activities of the Regional Council of Tuscany.
“I thank all the promoters of this prestigious and special initiative – added Alfredo Benedetti, President of the Versiliana Foundation – for choosing our coffee, a renowned and lively stronghold of debate and culture, as the venue for the preview presentation on Sunday 14th in particular i.e of the two magnificent reproductions of the bronzes which will be immersed in our sea in a few days’.
“We are honored to be able to contribute to an extraordinary celebration like the discovery of the bronzes,” says Roberto Del Chiaro. A piece of news that immediately struck us, because our foundry has specialized in the ancient technique of working this metal for generations. A study was started that allowed us to make this replacement. Our bronzes immediately sparked great discussion and inquiries on several occasions, not the least of which was the exhibition organized by Professor Sgarbi at the Mart in Rovereto when these specimens were relocated Villa Bertelli. Thanks to the institutions, sponsors and partners of this underwater exhibition, we must say that the project proposed to us by Federica Rotondo immediately won our support for its originality, quality and competence.
“We have identified the title “Rewind” that this site-specific installation seeks to send a message related to the environment around us – once explained Federica Rotondo -. The call for help that the planet is making to us, expressed in the dramatic images that are arriving from around the world between melting glaciers, floods, major fires and the development of pandemics, must make each of us pause for a moment and think about the world think about what we want to leave to our grandchildren. That’s the spirit behind Rewind.”
The great photographer is also collaborating on the project Massimo Sestini Winner of the World Press Photo 2015 who stated: “It is a unique and very exciting endeavor that will allow me to capture an equally unique photograph and as I have always been chasing different emotions and perspectives I have decided to do it to participate and to welcome this with spirit an exciting challenge as a team,” he added.
The copies of the Riace bronzes, like other classic copies of the masters of the past, were originally made by the art foundry Massimo Del Chiaro out of pure innate artistic passion, but in this particular case above all to realize and measure in detail remarkable technical ones Abilities of these “Very Great Smelters”. In the 5th century B.C. (2500 years ago), the historical period to which the two bronzes date, these great masters were able to create not only sculptural masterpieces but more importantly bronze castings using lost wax techniques in a historical period which technology compared to today was almost non-existent.
The technique used for their manufacture is clay modeling entirely handmade, based solely on a series of photographs and measurements on the originals. In practice, a free artistic interpretation.
The event, promoted by the Foundry and sponsored by the Region of Tuscany and the Municipality of Pietrasanta, will be attended by the Mayor of Pietrasanta, Alberto Stefano Giovannetti, Vittorio Sgarbi and the President of the Region of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani.
The two giants, made life-size, are returned to the sea, which was their keeper until August 16, 1972, the date of their discovery.