Arcangelo Sassolino at Villa Panza: The Mechanical Dance of Desire
Inside the Scuderia Grande at Villa Panza, visitors are immersed in a realm where time and movement take on physical form. “The Condition of Desire,” Arcangelo Sassolino’s latest installation, is a site-specific work that merges art, science, and philosophy in a dynamic dialogue with the space and the museum’s permanent collection. Curated by Angela Vettese, this project-room opens a new series of exhibitions at Villa Panza, in line with Giuseppe Panza di Biumo’s vision of exploring the interaction between invisible forces and the physical world.
A Dialogue with Space and Tradition
The Scuderia Grande, with its solemn proportions, natural light, and acoustics that amplify every mechanical motion, provides the ideal stage for this installation. A structure of metal beams supports a long mechanical arm powered by a compressed air system, with its ends holding two slabs of white Carnia marble. The arm’s slow, constant oscillation transforms the heavy marble into what appears to be a delicate, graceful dance, making the contrast between stillness and motion, weight and lightness, palpable.
The choice of marble, traditionally associated with classical sculpture and the spirituality of churches, is Sassolino’s homage to tradition and a symbol of the human condition. As the artist explained, “I was interested in the idea of it becoming somehow light as it floated through the air.” This noble material, steeped in history, is reinvented with a contemporary twist, emphasizing the tension between past and present.
Desire as a Human Condition
The installation serves as a powerful metaphor for human desire: a constant, insatiable drive that consumes energy without ever finding resolution. The mechanical arm, with its perpetual oscillation, represents this continuous tension—a quest that seems destined to remain unfulfilled.
Angela Vettese highlights how the work embodies “a desire that can never be satisfied, and that, with its pendular motion, demands a constant expenditure of energy and a state of alertness.” This theme, central to Sassolino’s creative vision, is physically and emotionally realized here, engaging visitors in profound reflection on the very nature of existence.
The installation has been widely praised for its ability to evoke a sense of time, instability, and transition. It invites visitors to reflect on moments of anticipation and the pauses that characterize life’s expectations. The oscillating movement of the mechanical arm transcends physical and perceptual boundaries, creating an almost hypnotic effect.
A Dialogue with the Permanent Collection
The installation interacts with Villa Panza’s permanent collection, which features works by artists such as Walter De Maria and Paolo Mochetti. While these artists explore the interplay of invisible forces and physical space, Sassolino introduces a dynamic and performative dimension, expanding the exploration of time and the instability of the present. This dialogue enriches the visitor’s experience, offering a comprehensive view of contemporary artistic research.
“The Condition of Desire” is not just an artwork to observe but an immersive experience. The noise of the mechanism, the pendular motion, and the visual tension between lightness and weight engage both the senses and the mind. Villa Panza reaffirms its role as a place of contemplation, where art prompts reflection on universal themes.
At the end of the visit, the image of the work lingers: like life itself, it never rests but feeds on the continuous tension between balance and disorder. Arcangelo Sassolino presents a piece that not only captivates with its visual power but also challenges the audience to confront life’s profound questions. “The Condition of Desire” is a significant addition to Villa Panza’s legacy, blending tradition, innovation, and deep introspection.
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