The above work is an astounding wedding gift from my close friend the artist Julian Laverdiere, who is also one of the co-designers of the 9/11 memorial Tribute in Light. It is a parody of the fascist/futurist artist Renato Bertelli’s Head of Mussolini, this time re-imagined with our very own Decider in the place of Il Duce.
Where the original was intended to glorify Mussolini as the all-seeing central hub of Italian power, Julian’s refiguring seems a more accurate use of the spinning metaphor, with the leader’s head spinning helplessly as events all around him slip out of control faster than he can think.
Italian fascist art, aka Futurism, is fascinating to me: Many of the works are aesthetic triumphs, but are ultimately the creations of warped minds. It’s astounding to me how artistic talent, creativity, and skill can exist independently of other virtues such as a rational mind or a sound moral compass. I’ve been thinking about this paradox a lot lately.
The way you’ve presented that piece looks great, it’s mesmerising.
“It’s astounding to me how artistic talent and skill can exist independently of other virtues such as a rational mind or a sound moral compass.”
Indeed, there’s alot to be considered regarding an artists’ productivity and their harmony within society. A discord that some of us may find edifying!
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3 responses to “Spinning Bush”
The above work is an astounding wedding gift from my close friend the artist Julian Laverdiere, who is also one of the co-designers of the 9/11 memorial Tribute in Light. It is a parody of the fascist/futurist artist Renato Bertelli’s Head of Mussolini, this time re-imagined with our very own Decider in the place of Il Duce.
(photo from the Montreal Mirror)
Where the original was intended to glorify Mussolini as the all-seeing central hub of Italian power, Julian’s refiguring seems a more accurate use of the spinning metaphor, with the leader’s head spinning helplessly as events all around him slip out of control faster than he can think.
Italian fascist art, aka Futurism, is fascinating to me: Many of the works are aesthetic triumphs, but are ultimately the creations of warped minds. It’s astounding to me how artistic talent, creativity, and skill can exist independently of other virtues such as a rational mind or a sound moral compass. I’ve been thinking about this paradox a lot lately.
The way you’ve presented that piece looks great, it’s mesmerising.
“It’s astounding to me how artistic talent and skill can exist independently of other virtues such as a rational mind or a sound moral compass.”
Indeed, there’s alot to be considered regarding an artists’ productivity and their harmony within society. A discord that some of us may find edifying!
Hey cool!
I’ve seen that piece before. You must be so happy to own it (one?)… is it an edition?