ABOUT MICHELANGELO BASTIANI
Florentine artist Michelangelo Bastiani graduated first from Florence’s Art Institute and later from the Academy of Fine Arts, where he majored in painting and photography under Maestro Gustavo Giulietti. Bastiani lived in California and New York before returning to Tuscany, and has held critically-acclaimed exhibitions in the Italian cities of Florence, Rome, Venice, Milan, Capri, and Pietrasanta, and internationally in Paris, London, Munich, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Kiev, and Oslo. In the United States, Bastiani has exhibited, New York, Miami, Palm Beach, Hamptons, Boca Raton, Houston, Austin, Dallas. He also exhibited at Saatchi Gallery in London and Mana Contemporary Museum in Jersey City.
Michelangelo Bastiani’s works are video installations on large screens, interactive video projections and holograms, focusing in particular on elements of nature and the state of matter.
Michelangelo Bastiani uses technology in his representations of water to illustrate its dynamic nature and facilitate a direct connection and tangible interaction with the viewer. Bastiani develope his hologram installations and interactive video projections on LED screens exploring the theme of liquidness, with water representing the constantly changing intrinsic nature of art.
Of his work, Bastiani says:
Based on Bohm’s oleographic theory that “our universe is a gigantic and splendidly detailed hologram”, in my works I reproduce a microcosm in a bottle, where videos, two-dimensional by nature, become solid and dynamic realities. It is a visual perception that can be explained through the Gestalt laws.
“Water, and liquidness in general, is my preferred field of investigation. My favorite subjects are natural phenomena of different magnitude, from the most tumultuous storms to soft clouds, relaxing water lilies, cold icebergs, waterfalls, fountains, galaxies, travels to the center of the earth…
For instance, an artificial lake might take shape in a room and, thanks to digital techniques, the spectator becomes an integral part of the work by simply passing in front of it, thus becoming a part of the kinetic process. Analog and digital blend in these holograms which are enclosed in transparent bottles and jars, and direct interaction from the viewer results in infinite variables. The relationship between work and observer become stronger transforming what we imagine as the traditional ‘passive’ visit into an ‘active’ experience.”
The comparison between artifice and nature is a central theme in art history: painters, sculptors and architects over the centuries have recreated the world through the lens of their works, Michelangelo Bastiani accepts this challenge by regenerating the natural world into the latest digital mechanisms, A futuristic process of art, combining multimedia and real objects, where the artwork becomes a place of interactive cultural animation, defining a stronger interpersonal relationship between the viewer and contemporary art production.
Bastiani is able to deal with this difficulty by tangible interaction technology, which communicates directly with the spectator: his digital waterfall will never keep a steady flow, but will change depending on the viewer’ movement, as part of the kinetic process of the work.
Nature blends with artifice: the strength of the elements is performed as a sort of paradox where nature is trapped by the hand of man, but in the meantime exalted by his clever use of technology.
The artist gives to natural phenomena or graceful feminine figures a new home, shaped as a glassy bottle: a microcosm perpetually communicating with the audience in the vision of a realistic and coherent scene.
The interactive video is a perennial happening where the work lives and changes, resulting in infinite variables. Thus, the relationship between work and observer become stronger transforming what we imagine as the traditional “passive” visit into “active”.
Between real and virtual, Bastiani gives life to a third dimension in which nature and artifice coexist, following an artistic research where the only constants seem to be transformation, and the evolution of his works over time.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2022 Art Dubai
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Dubai, UAE
2022 Sp Arte
Luis Maluf Gallery
San Paolo, Brasil
2022 Zona Maco
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Mexico City, Mexico
2022 Art Palm Beach
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Palm Beach, Florida
2021 Art Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Miami, USA
2021 Art d’Egypte
Cairo Museum
Video Installations
Cairo, Egypt
2021 Art Elysees
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Paris, France
2021 Art Budapest
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Budapest, Hungary
2021 Volta Basel
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Basel, Switzerland
2021 SP-Arte
Luis Maluf Gallery
Video Installations
San Paolo, Brasil
2021 Art Dubai
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Paris, France
2020 Sbagliando si inventa
Curated by Antonello Tolve
Galleria dell’Accademia di Belle Arti di Macerata
Video Installations
Macerata, Italy
2020 Art Paris
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Paris, France
2020 Volta Art Fair
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
New York, NY, Usa
2020 Wynwood Art Fair
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installations
Miami, Fl, Usa
2020 Wynwood Art Fair
Boccara Art Gallery
Video Installations
Miami, Fl, Usa
2020 Pareidolie olografiche
Studio D’Azeglio – Bologna Art City
Video Installations
Bologna, Italy
2020 Este Arte
Boccara Art Gallery
Video Installations
Punta del Este, Uruguay
2019 Art Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, Usa
2019 Context – Miami
Liquid Art System
Video Installazioni
Miami, Usa
2019 Scope
Vivendi Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami Beach, Usa
2019 Art Miami
Markowicz
Video Installazione
in collaborazione con Carole Feuerman
Miami, Usa
2019 Art Elysées
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Paris, France
2019 Timelessness
Old Masters and Contemporary Art
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Florence, Italy
2019 Contemporary Istanbul
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2019 Contempo Festival
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Zaffara
Solo project – Video Installazioni
Monopoli, Italy
2019 Art Marbella
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
Marbella, Spain
2019 Art Market Hamptons
Galleria Ca’ d’Oro
Video Installazioni
Hamptons, Usa
2019 Volta Art Fair
Mark Hachem Galerie
Video Installazioni
Basel, Switzerland
2019 Art New York
Mark Hachem Galerie
Video Installazioni
New York, Usa
2019 Art New York
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
New York, Usa
2019 “Troisi poeta Massimo”
Istituto Luce – Teatro dei Dioscuri
Video Installazione
Rome, Italy
2019 Art Ankara
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Ankara, Turkey
2019 Art Wynwood
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2019 Zona Maco
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Mexico City, Mexico
2019 Art Palm Beach
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
Palm Beach, FL, USA
2019 The luminous substance of the intangibile
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2018 Art Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2018 Scope
Vivendi Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2018 Art Miami
Markowicz Fine Art
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2018 Art Miami
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2018 Art Elysées
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Paris, France
2018 Contemporary Istanbul
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2018 A19 Exhibition
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2018 Scope Basel
Vivendi Gallery
Video Installazioni
Basel, Switzerland
2018 Art New York
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
New York, Usa
2018 Collective “The Other God”
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Florence, Italy
2018 Art Boca Raton
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
Boca Raton, FL, USA
2018 Art Wynwood
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2018 Art Palm Beach
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Palm Beach, FL, USA
2018 Palm Beach Modern+Contemporary
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
Palm Beach, FL, USA
2017 Chashama
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
New York, NY, USA
2017 Art Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2017 Context Miami
Liquid Art System
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2017 Context Miami
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
Miami, FL, USA
2017 Scope Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami Beach, FL, USA
2017 Beyond the Matter
Galleria Ca’ d’Oro
Video Installazioni
Chelsea, NY, USA
2017 CONTEMPORARY ISTANBUL ART FAIR
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2017 Art Market Hamptons
Galleria Ca’ d’Oro
Video Installazioni
Hamptons, Usa
2017 Timelessness
Aria Art Gallery – Rose & King Gallery
Video Installazioni
London, UK
2017 Saatchi Gallery
Barbara Paci Galleria d’Arte
Video Installazioni
London, UK
2017 Art New York
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
New York, Usa
2017 Art Central
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Hong Kong, China
2017 Salvioni Art space
Galleria d’Arte Barbara Paci
Video Installazioni
Milano, Italy
2017 Scope New York
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
New York, NY, Usa
2017 Art Wynwood
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, Florida, Usa
2017 Palm Beach Modern+Contemporary
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Palm Beach, Florida, Usa
2017 Maravee Ludo Park
Video Installazioni
Lignano Sabbiadoro, Udine, Italy
2017 Art Stage Singapore
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Singapore
2017 Art Palm Beach
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Palm Beach, Florida, Usa
2017 Maravee Ludo
Museo Civico di Palazzo Elti
Video Installazioni
Gemona del Friuli, Udine, Italy
2016 Art Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami, USA
2016 Scope Miami
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Miami Beach, USA
2016 Contemporary Istanbul
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2016 Art Elysees
Mark Hachem Gallery
Video Installazioni
Paris, France
2016 Castello di Susans
Maravee Ludo Exhibition
Video Installazioni
Majano (UD), Italy
2016 Saatchi Gallery – Start Art Fair
Aria Art gallery
Video Installazioni
London, UK
2016 Aria Art Gallery
“Eau de Florance” Exhibition
Video Installazioni
London, UK
2016 Art Context New York
Liquid Art System
Video Installazioni – Solo Project
New York, Usa
2016 SpazioMR Gallery
Spazio MR Gallery
Video Installazioni
Rome, Italy
2016 C24 Gallery
C24 Gallery
Video Installazione
Chelsea, New York, Usa
2015 Contemporary Istanbul Art Fair
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2015 The Others Art Fair
Alviani Art Space
Video Installazione
Torino, Italy
2015 Capri The Island of Art
Liquid Art System
Video Installazione
Capri, Italia
2015 Capri Tiberio Palace – Liquid Art System
Video Installazione
Capri, Italia
2015 Barbara Paci Galleria d’Arte
De Rerum Natura “infra terram”
Video Installazioni
Pietrasanta, Italia
2015 White Room Art System
Video Installazioni
Capri, Italia
2015 Aria Art Gallery
Video installation
Florence, Italy
2014 Grand Hotel et de Milan
Video installations
Milan, Italy
2014 Barbara Paci Gallery
“It’s time to move”
Video installations
Pietrasanta (Lucca), Italy
2014 Il Bottaccio London
“Visibilia ex Invisibilibus”
Video installations
London, UK
2014 Aria Art Gallery
“Digital Marmore Wall II”
Video Installation
Florence, Italy
2013 Istanbul Art Fair
“Digital Marmore Wall”
Video Installation
Istanbul, Turkey
2013 Aria Art Gallery
“Digital Marmore Wall”
Video Installation
Florence, Italy
2013 Mana Contemporary Museum
“Geyser”
Video Installation
Jersey City, NJ, USA
2013 Arezzo Biennale
“Water Galaxy”
Video Installation
Arezzo, Italy
2013 Aria Art Gallery
“Geyser”
Video Installation
Florence, Italy
2012 Art Kyiv Contemporary – Aria Art Gallery
Video Installations
Mystetskyi Arsenal, Kyiv, Ukraine
2012 Galleria in Paradiso “Street”
Video Installation
Giardini della Biennale, Venice, Italy
2012 Houston Art Fair
Video Installations
Houston, USA
2011 Dream Factory Gallery
Video Installation
Milan, Italy
2011 Aria Art Gallery
Video Installation
Florence, Italy
2011 Hubner and Hubner Gallery
Video Installation
Frankfurt, Germany
2009 Jim Kempner Gallery
Video Installation
New York, Usa
2007 Area Pettini
“NAM NAM”
Florence, Italy
2006 Villa Strozzi
“Ruotati!
Florence, Italy
2005 Giubbe Rosse
“Accademici”
Florence, Italy
2004 Accademia di Belle Arti
“Studenti in Mostra”
Florence, Italy
2003 Giubbe Rosse
“Colors”
Florence, Italy
2002 “Otto’s Gallery”
Oslo, Norway
Selected One Person Exhibition
2022 Space-Time-Glass
Mark Hachem Gallery
Paris, France
2022 Light and the Intangibles
Four Seasons
Solo Show – Video Installations
Mexico City, Mexico
2021 Espace
Espace Gallery
Solo Show – Video Installations
Dubai, UAE
2020 Healing Waters
Museo Della Certosa di San Giacomo
Solo Show – Video Installations
Capri, Italy
2019 Nothing Else
Video Installazioni
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Zaffara
Monopoli, Italy
2018 The luminous substance of the intangibile
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
Istanbul, Turkey
2018 Viaggio al Centro della Terra
Solo Show
Villa Lysis, Comune di Capri
Video Installazioni
Capri, Italy
2018 Reazione Impossibile
Solo Show
Mark Hachem Galerie
Video Installazioni
Paris, France
2017 Chashama
Solo Show
Galleria Ca’ D’Oro
Video Installazioni
New York, NY, USA
2017 Beyond the Matter
Solo Show
Galleria Ca’ d’Oro
Video Installazioni
Chelsea, NY, USA
2017 Air of Florence
Solo Show
Aria Art Gallery
Video Installazioni
London, United Kingdom
2016 SpazioMR Gallery
Solo Show
Spazio MR Gallery
Video Installazioni
Rome, Italy
2016 Liquid Art System
Solo project
Hologram Video Installation
Context NY Art fair
New York, USA
2015 Barbara Paci Galleria d’Arte
De Rerum Natura “infra terram”
Video Installazioni
Pietrasanta, Italia
2007 Galeria Aurora
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
2004 BGH Galery
Santa Barbara California, USA
2002 Hotel Carlton
Oslo, Norway
“Water Galaxy”
Professional Membership
President of FIRENZE PRESENTA
Cultural Association