Today, we’d like to introduce you to Carlo Marcucci. Carlo was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Whitney Sincoff.
Hi Carlo, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
When I graduated from college I was set to follow a graphic and signage design career. Art was a part ime hobby, even though it was a natural skill of mine. I worked for a few graphic design firms creating logos, brochures, signage systems and large sculptural signage for companies, apartment complexes, commercial developments. When I relocated to Los Angeles, I worked as an independent contractor at Disney Imagineering in Burbank doing the same work, but in a more creative and whimsical way (for the EuroDisney theme park in France). During this time I was painting in the living room of an apartment in Mid-Wilshire and was applying to open calls for exhibition opportunities around Southern California. I had my first solo exhibition at the Betsy Lueke Creative Arts Center in Burbank in 1992. When my Disney Imagineering contract expired, I decided to give my art career a try.
Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
Many of of my works are recognizable for the use of non-conventional materials and different styles, but they most share themes related to social and environmental concerns. All my work tends to be precise and carefully constructed. On one hand I create abstract and geometric forms utilizing common materials. I then transform these poor elements into objects that transcend the medium – like spaghetti and udon noodles to create the “Wheatfields” series. These minimal compositions are abstract interpretation of food containers and the disproportionate role they have in modern processed food distribution. Each painted wood structure is covered with a very thin polished layer of dry spaghetti, so that the nature of the pasta is drastically changed until it loses its recognizable shape, texture and use. In a metaphorical sense, the box containing the spaghetti is thus reborn as a box constructed of spaghetti. Another body of work that shares this approach is my “Staples” series, where I utilize common materials found in office or home stores (erasers, staples, rope, paper clips) to create geometric works. Both series are a homage to the “Arte Povera” movement of the late 60’s. As a contrasting juxtaposition to my sculptural work, I also create figurative and landscape paintings – like with my “Chemical Still-Lives” and “Golden State” landscape paintings. Both deal with the environment. The “Chemical Still-Lives” series portrays food contamination by chemicals found within each produce/food depicted. Each still-life is a rebus not meant to be deciphered by the viewer, but the chemicals are present and dangerous. The “Golden State” series of mixed media paintings features the landscapes of the San Joaquin Valley of California – a fertile land with easy water policies that represents a sort of Golden State – a state of abundance and wealth; now a bit tarnished by too much abusive agriculture practices and urbanization. My work is viewable on line at carlomarcucci.com or by calling Art Dimensions for an appointment to visit my studio.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Whitney Sincoff and ART DIMENSIONS INC. and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with ART DIMENSIONS INC..
Whitney’s mother used to run Art Dimensions and used represent my work. When she passed away, Whitney took over Art Dimensions and I’ve known her for at least 24 years. She has proven to be reliable and communicative and has been able to carve a niche of the art gallery world by specializing in the entertainment industry. As far as my work is concerned, she provides me with art rental and sale opportunities in the television and film industry. My work appears in films and TV series, such as HBO’s “Westworld” and CBS’ “Why Women Kill”.
Website: www.carlomarcucci.com
Instagram: sixty29contemporary
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlo-marcucci-5a828060/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sancarlo.dafufluna/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@C2MStudio
Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user5455968
