Geijutsu Shincho Special Project
FRANCESCO MAZZI
Japan and his native Italy, an emerging energetic artist has appeared traversing Reiwa's present with original 3D paintings!
Francesco Mazzi
Based in Born in Italy in 1977. He arrived in Japan in 2005 and continues to create his self-taught works of art alongside his work as an executive chef in a fine restaurant. In February 2020, he became independent and founded his art company "MAZZI FINE ART" in Ginza, Tokyo with his wife and business partner Maki Saegusa. In the spring of 2021, it moved its Japan base to Sennan City, Osaka Prefecture. Travel back and forth between Japan and Italy. He is one of the artists who attracts international attention. His photo is at the Onosato gallery, Sennan City, Osaka. Photo. Benjamin Parks (all pages 153-155)
Francesco Mazzi, "I want to revolutionize the art world by constantly pursuing technology and materials and advancing with new concepts".
Above / Mazzi and Maki Saegusa, wife and partner. The work in the center expresses the beauty and elegance of nature by drawing butterflies that fly around the branches of cherry blossoms. "The colors of beauty"
Under / "Onda d'Amore" 2021 Mixed media body 46 x 61 x 6.3 cm The frame integrated with the main body of the work uses a unique "3D Frame Push Up" system that combines Japanese wood and Italian craftsmanship.
About a 20-minute drive from Kansai International Airport, the beautiful Japanese house is located in a corner of a residential area facing the scenic Osaka Bay facing the sea. It is the basis of "MAZZI FINE ART" in Japan, which introduces the works of the Italian artist Francesco Mazzi. This house is a gallery, an atelier, an office and a residence. The gallery space, which just opened in June this year, is a quiet space just like a Machiya in Kyoto where sunlight shines through the central corridor. Mazzi's work is regularly exhibited between the plastered walls and the room's alcove with tatami mats. Most of the works are painted with gorgeous colors like gold, silver and oil paints. It is interesting that it is in harmony with the space, even if it is an expressive method that tends to be excessive.
Why does it feel natural? The epochal framework devised by Mr. Mazzi seems to be one of the reasons. It is called "3D Frame Push Up" which is a fusion of high quality Japanese wood and Italian craftsmanship. It blends beautifully with the Japanese space. One of the factors that harmonize with the Japanese space is that the theme is myths and legends, and those images are chewed up and expressed in a simple way. For example, the one titled "Dragon Skin" Ryujin "" [top left on page 155] was inspired by the myths of Toyotamahime, the dragon god who appears in the Japanese classics "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki". Instead of drawing the dragon god himself, he emphasizes only the rough scales (skin) of the dragon, highlighting the mystery of this god. It can be said that "Sun Skin" [left on page 155], which is an extraction of the splendid drape of the western goddess Venus, was born of a similar approach. The method of expression is like a Japanese craft with high lacquer work, and also like an ancient Roman goldsmith. In other words, symbolically expressing the "central" part of the theme together, it combines beauty in harmony with the exhibition space.
Mr. Mazzi's new 3D painting method, which skillfully incorporates Japanese and Western elements, is not created solely by the senses, but is a detailed reflection of his thoughts on beauty. There must be. His past experience as a top chef could also play an important role. Like a plate that shines beautifully on a plate, his elegant work reminds us of a new future of painting.
"I want to revolutionize the art world by constantly pursuing technology and materials and advancing with new concepts" (Mr. Mazzi).
《Dragon of the Sea》 2021 Mixed media 25 × 20.5 × 6.3 cm A stitch using mussel shells on the surface of the canvas. At the time of storage, all works will be placed in the original paulownia box.
《Waterfall of Light》 2021 Mixed Media Body 67 × 41 × 6.3 cm An abstract representation of the waterfall falling in the sunlight. The flow of water taken throughout is impressive.
Natural bamboo is used for the oil painting palette. Instead of mixing colors on the palette, they create mixed colors on the canvas and harmonize them.
《Dragon Skin Ryujin》 2021 Mixed Media Body 53.5 x 45 x 4.5 cm Inspired by Japanese mythology "Ryujin". The unique ladder-like mat is created by stacking real egg shells.
《Skin of the Sun》 2020-21 Mixed technique Body 53.5 × 45 × 4.5 cm A work inspired by the drape of the goddess Venus.
The screen that elegantly represents the waves of the sea, sunlight and eternal life is truly divine.
Above / Interior of a permanent gallery refurbished from a Japanese house.
Right / Japanese garden in the gallery.
Information
MAZZI FINE ART GALLERY
Exhibition and sale of works by Francesco Mazzi (in a paulownia box). As they are all single works, we also accept bespoke works. Custom manufacturing starts at 1.2 million yen (production period is 3 to 12 months).
Reservation required for visits.
Address: 6-1-23 Onosato, Sennan-shi, Osaka
Access: 5 minutes by car from "Tarui" station on the Nankai Main Line
20 minutes by car from Kansai International Airport
Inquiries: MAZZI K.K. 090-4464-0397 / msaegusa @ mazzifineart. com
