L'ETÀ DELL'ORO, LA MUTA (THE GOLDEN AGE, THE MOLTING) consists of a wooden and transparent glass case structured on several levels, containing a series of sculptures in gold, silver, bronze, copper and iron, made from the molts of 28 snakes. The choice of the metals reflects the succession of ages outlined in Hesiod's Works and Days and it is strongly linked with the Golds of Taranto from which the work draws direct inspiration. The exuvia of the snake, its mutation, therefore becomes a symbolic element of mutation in its deepest meaning: the regenerative capacity of nature. The sculptures, albeit individually worked, are intended as a single element. For the production of each element the “galvanization” technique was used, with which it is possible to cover a non-precious metal with a layer of more noble metal. The work is born as a product of the time we find ourselves living in. An era of conflict and crisis, with an unresolved pandemic and a war that makes its own bombs sound not far from our borders. All this brings out all the fragility and decadence of a culture that has broken the balance with the natural world. The vision doesn’t want to be utopian, rather it takes inspiration in that ancient philosophy which hoped, after times marked by difficulties, wars and pandemics, the arrival of a golden time in which living beings would have lived in a new world, probably purer and more innocent.
Inside the case, in addition to those covered with the metals mentioned earlier, there are also untreated molts. These will act as a linking element between the mutation in progress and its noblest part. For obvious reasons, these natural materials will tend to unravel and disappear over time.
The artwork, original and site-specific, was the winner of the PAC 2020 - Plan for Contemporary Art of the General Direction for Contemporary Creativity of the Ministry of Culture and was permanently acquired by the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto. The work is part of the permanent collections of the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto.
Special thanks to: Giardino Zoologico Pistoia - Centro di Scienze Naturali di Prato
L'ETÀ DELL'ORO, LA MUTA – 2022, snake skin (molt), gold, silver, bronze, iron, copper, metal, glass and wood, cm 90x90x275 - Installation view, Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto, MArTA
