3rd International Small Engraving Exhibition 'Art and the Printing Press'
Grand Opening has been held in the afternoon, always the 16th March.
In the Civic Museum "Ala Ponzone", in Cremona, are exhibited 243 works from 122 amongst the most
significant artists coming from 53 countries; each artist participated by invitation with
two works (except one artist, with one). These artists privilege the methods of original
engraving (chalcography or relief techniques).
Under the chairmanship of Mr. Dino Formaggio, art critic and philosopher, an International Committee
selected contemporary engravings from several countries, in small format (25x35 cm max). This
selection shows the most recent productions, together with more traditional works, usually in
black and white.
Visitors has been driven through the impressive halls of Civic Museum, to the biggest hall,
suitably made up to hold the opening.
Among others, there were speeches by Mr. Angelo Rescaglio, ADAFA president; Mr. Paolo Bodini,
Mayor of Cremona, and prof. Dino Formaggio, president of the Scientific Committee of the biennal,
who held a sort of university lesson on the "Who is the Engraver?" theme, closed with a
long applause by the big audience that attended the opening.
Photo shows, on the left, prof. Angelo Rescaglio; and dr. Paolo Bodini.
Members of Scientific Committee (who also wrote the list of artist to be invited) were:
Dino Formaggio (art philosopher and professor emeritus of the Università of Milan), president;
Witold Skulicz (president, International Print Triennal Society, Cracow); Leon Zalkrajsek (artist,
Lubijana); Mario Balestreri (engraver); Sergio Tarquinio (engraver); Mauro Mainardi (president,
Associazione Italiana Ex libris); Vladimiro Elvieri (curator of the Biennal).
A concert took place in that same hall, courtesy by musicians from
the Orchestra of Civica Monteverdi, directed by M° Mauro Moruzzi.
They played: Concerto in Sol magg. per viola, archi e basso continuo, by G. Ph. Telemann; and
Concerto in La min. per due violini, archi e basso continuo, by A. Vivaldi - many wondered
why this last choice (La min. is "gloomy", why close a concert with such a music?),
but the "bis" came in our rescue: it was the "Inno alla Gioia" by Beethoven.
This second photo shows part of the attending public.
After that, we walked through to the exhibition hall, to take a look at the prints, at last.
Thay are all reproduced on the catalogue.
At least one work per artist will be property of ADAFA, and it will take part in the International
Collection of graphics, care of the Gabinetto delle Stampe of Civic Museum of Cremona,
available to collectors, interested people, researchers of the original print art.
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>Artifex wishes to thank Mr. Vladimiro Elvieri for his help;
photos are © and are courtesy of the organization.
© Artifex 2003 - All rights reserved.