"Identity Theft" of Italian
American by Antonio Petracca at NYC Exhibition- April
26th- June 16th
The
ANNOTICO Report
Antonio
Petracca, contemporary Italian American artist is to
be commended, saluted, and exalted!!!!
Petracca deserves the unbridled support of not only those
Italian Americans that can easily visit the Museum, but those Italian American Organizations NATION WIDE that
should sponsor this Exhibition in THEIR City!!!!!! Otherwise, it is a Grand
Opportunity WASTED!!!!
"Identity
Theft" questions the use of the stereotype
in our culture and how it subtlety taints the Italian immigrant's self image
and psyche and that of their descendents living in
Petracca explores the negative stereotypes attributed to
the Italian American individual by popular media, television, film, and
newspaper articles. Petracca's intent to question his
audience's assumptions concerning the possible belief that all Italian
Americans are somehow crime related is expressed poignantly in one of the
paintings on view.
"78
Percent" depicts a shadowy figure of Frank Sinatra. This narrative was
inspired by the result of a survey that illustrated that 78% of Americans
polled believe that the Italian American identity is defined by its direct
relationship to organized crime.
"IDENTITY
THEFT"
Presented
by
April
26th through
Petracca opens on April 26th at
The
exhibition will remain on view through
Maria
Cocchiarelli, Curator of Collections for the
contributing essay by Dr. Marianne Berardi, author and
contemporary critic, and an interview with the artist accompanies the
exhibition. All works in the exhibition are fully illustrated in this catalogue which have developed from Petracca's
previous series of works entitled, "These are not my Shoes".
In
both bodies of work Petracca explores the negative
stereotypes attributed to the Italian American individual by popular media,
television, film, and newspaper articles. Petracca's
intent to question his audience's assumptions concerning the possible belief
that all Italian Americans are somehow crime related is expressed poignantly in
one of the paintings on view.
"78
Percent" depicts a shadowy figure of Frank Sinatra deliberately composed
ambiguously through the use of sfumato. This
narrative was inspired by the result of a survey that illustrated 78% polled
believe that the Italian American identity is defined by its direct
relationship to organized crime.
This
painting is part of "These are not my Shoes", series as are two other
paintings and three prints presented in this exhibition.
Dr.
Joseph V. Scelsa, President of the Museum, stated,
"Antonio Petracca presents throughout a unique
perspective how Italian Americans are viewed by themselves and others in our
society. His work makes a statement and asks the questions, Is
this who we are? Is this how we want to be seen? As we move forward into the
twenty-first century, it is these questions and exhibitions like this which
will help us to define ourselves."
For
the first time in
In
all of the new "Pompeii Overlay Tagged" works Petracca
expresses a similar absurdity by juxtaposing elements we would normally not see
combined within the same work of art.
Petracca's viewpoint is not an easy one to define, as he
emphatically states he is not intending to be didactic in any way. His position
is to begin a dialogue with his audience - not - tell them what to think. The
possible outcome after viewing his exhibition "Identity Theft" is to
question the use of the stereotype in our culture and how it subtlety taints
the Italian immigrant's self image and psyche and their descendents living in
America today.
"Pompeii
Overlay Tagged" echoes Petracca's
interests while simultaneously suggesting that the Italian American may
be surprised to learn how sophisticated, prolific, and talented some of our
ancient ancestors were, such as the Pompeians. Petracca's intention as a thoughtful contemporary artist
responding to the world he inhabits has created an entertaining exhibition
worth viewing.
Public
Program: On May 24th at
work.
The
The
Contact:
Maria Fosco
212-541-1021
Past
Exhibitions have included:
Ghost Town - Borgo Fantasma
Freeing the Angel from the Stone
Prisoners in Our Own Home: The Italian
American Experience As America's Enemy Aliens
Architecture of Devotion
Something Borrowed, Something New
The
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Mia: www.italiamia.com (Community)