Photo Theory of Making Art: Portrait, New York,
1981-1996
Photo Theory of Making Art: Pipes, Italy,
1981-1996
cosimo di
leo ricatto
at sandra geringby Eduardo Costa
Cosimo Di Leo Ricatto is a conceptual
artist known for his photography and his
all-white wall pieces. These works usually
consist of boxes full of jars and other
things balanced in three dimensions,
synthetic of structuralism and Arte Povera.
In this show we see a fascinating series of
black and white photographs shot by the
artist during his daily travels during the
last 15 years, things and images seen in
passing, frequently while walking on the
street. These works are collectively titled
"Photo Theory of Making Art," a reference
to the artist's notion that the images encapsulate a history--whether as echo or
source--of Modernism's various artistic
strategies.
Some of the photos recall film
stills, ranging from cinema noir to
Spielberg. A door opens to let a jet of
bright light out, announcing a poltergeist
apparition. A group of porcelain puppies
gather on a windowsill. A bathtub, almost
fully buried in a lawn, is filled with
water and goldfish. A fashion doll is
hidden, and at the same time dressed, by
neon signs. Somebody's portrait on a wall is
partly canceled by the climactic shadow of
a chair.
The treatment and choice of the images is
wonderful, setting this show apart from
most similar efforts. Still, what makes it
more unique are the slick black frames,
reminiscent of TV sets, which sit on narrow
black shelves. These create a different
tension between the images, the space of
the gallery and the viewers, inaugurating a
new kind of art object.
Cosimo Di Leo Ricatto at Sandra Gering,
Jan. 11-Feb. 8, 1997, 476 Broome, New York,
N.Y. 10013.
EDUARDO COSTA is a writer who lives and
works on the Internet.
 for the Esprit House.jpg)
