Edelweiss Calacagno, MFA Interdisciplinary Candidate, with a concentration in printmaking, painting, and sculpture, has just been accepted into the 58th Venice Biennale Art Exhibition 2019! The International Art Exhibition, titled May You Live In Interesting Times, is curated by Ralph Rugoff and organized by La Biennale di Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta. The exhibition will take place from May 11-24, November 2019 (Pre-opening on 8, 9, 10 May). Read more…
Artist Statement: My primary interest in abstract art is using a variety of techniques in painting, printmaking and sculpture. I utilize all kinds of material, including recycled ones, in order to convey my ideas. I explore how the intersection of different planes and line shapes can create illusions within distorted shapes, objects, letters, and words. Layering is an intrinsic element in my work; creating multiple perspectives gives the viewer more than one way to view my art. I use abstract art as a tool to talk about abuse, with the layers representing aspects of abuse and abuse survivors. By addressing abuse through my art, I strive to make people more aware of this taboo subject so that they can better understand and talk about it. I also use different symbols to talk about this subject, such as the destructive act of tearing up or scratching my own prints and paintings, designs that mimic jail bars, feathers that represent bleeding wounds, and the layering of a variety of colors representing the changes in the life of a person. Learn more about Edelweiss Calcagno.