Luis López-Chávez
Nadine in Panicale
Luis López-Chávez ha esplorato da vicino i luoghi circoscritti all’interno delle storiche mura e nella campagna tutt’intorno, attraverso l’interazione, l’ascolto e l’osservazione dei “personaggi” che frequentano la piazza principale.
Luis López-Chávez, Nadine in Panicale, 2022, Panicale (PG), Umbria. Ph. Daniele Mattioli
Luis López-Chávez (Manzanillo, Cuba, 1988) graduated from the Professional Academy of Plastic Arts in Manzanillo in 2007 and from the Higher Institute of Art in Havana in 2013. In 2012, he received a scholarship for the Royal Institute of Art, Stockholm, Sweden. In his work, he has been conducting a research exercise on the development of plastic form and the frictions it generates when introduced into the logical space of the world as an affirmation. Based on these frictions with the socio-historical context, language or with art itself, he proposes a visuality contained between a conceptual methodology and an unconscious pulse, between a philosophical proposal and a poetic image. In 2015, he was invited to the 12th Havana Biennial, with the project Los síntomas del engaño exhibited at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana.
Among his main solo exhibitions are: El acto total, organizzata da Galleria Continua, presso l’Unión Nacional de Arquitectos e Ingenieros de la Construcción de Cuba (UNAICC) (2019); Las Contravenciones, El Apartamento, L’Avana (2019); Contra los poetas, Galería Servando, L’Avana (2017).
His work has been part of the following group exhibitions: Cómo está el agua e Diamante en bruto, Galleria Continua, Havana (2018); Ola Cuba, Lille 3000, Lille, Francia (2017); Soy Cuba, Palazzina dei Bagni Misteriosi-Teatro Franco Parenti, Milano, Italia (2017); Continua Spheres Ensemle, 104 (Cent Quatre), Parigi, Francia (2017); Cuba mi amor, Galleria Continua, Les Moulins, Francia (2017).
With about 5,000 inhabitants, Panicale located in the province of Perugia, has been part of the initiative Borghi più belli d’Italia since 2008 and since 2007, it has had The Bandiera arancione recognition of quality awarded by the Touring Club. It boasts a splendid view of Lake Trasimeno and its three islands and for this reason the village is defined as a “natural terrace” on the lake. Close to the border between Umbria and Tuscany, it has seen the birth and passing of many important people, including the proud leader Boldrino Paneri, the Old Master Pietro Vannucci known as Perugino and his illustrious pupil Raphael. It’s always been seen as a “prestigious place” that has inspired and continues to inspire artists, musicians, poets, composers, and actors from different countries. It’s a place of beauty and contemplation where the landscape that was painted five centuries ago by Perugino still seems tangible and intact. This area can be crossed at a slow pace, on horseback, by bike and also by taking advantage of the numerous wineries and companies that produce excellent oil and local produce such as green beans and various types of cereals. The patron saint San Michele Arcangelo gives its name to the beautiful Collegiate Church, which stands in the heart of the historic centre of the village. Panicale is also home to three Land Art works by Mauro Staccioli (Inverted arch, 1996) Beverly Pepper (Panicale Amphitheater, 2000-2021) and Virginio Ferrari (Crystals in formation, 2022).