Il gioco della fontana

Il gioco della fontana (2018)
(Game of the Fountain)

unframed price

cotton fibre, pigment dyes, gauze

H 52 x W 100 cm (triptych)

Suggested framed dimensions:
H 72 x W 120 cm (min)

I sought to capture a significant memory with a piece consisting of three sections echoing a ripple effect.

A natural spring near Monte Croce in the Dolomites originates from deep under the rock. Over time, the volume of water has increased, leading to shifting terrain.

I observed how the water flows downwards from the source in a circular fashion, and I wanted to describe the light reflecting off the surface of the water as a result of this specific movement.

The larger pulp works can be displayed unframed by attaching to a framework and allowing them to float away from the wall. I can advise further on this.

I'm also open to the idea of the sections of this piece being framed individually if necessary and displayed side-by-side.

Note on the technique:

The cotton fibre pulp works are built up using layers of dyed pulp in a wet-on-wet or wet-on-dry, hand mould and deckle process. There is no glue in the mixture as the 'paper' holds together through the natural interweaving of the fibres themselves.

The pulp is made predominantly from cotton linters which is repeatedly mashed with water before different natural or synthetic, fibre-reactive pigment dyes are added to create the basic palette. In some cases, organic material is mixed with or embedded in the pulps, with the possibility of larger elements being stripped away when wet or dry leaving a 3D graffito-style impression in the revealed layers. An important feature is the uneven edges (deckle edges) that the process produces.

The natural light plays a big part in the drying process which can take 3 to 4 weeks. Natural sunlight and the right temperature help the chemical reaction between pigment and fibre resulting in stronger, high-density colours.