F 1956

Editor: Right, let's talk about this piece called "F" by Mimmo Rotella, created in 1956. It looks like it’s made from layered papers and fabrics. The composition seems so haphazard, but I wonder if it's actually carefully considered. It gives me a gritty, urban vibe. What catches your eye when you look at it? Curator: Ah, "F"! For me, it whispers stories of the city—think Rome in the late '50s, plastered with advertising. It's like a visual poem ripped from the walls. I see not just paper, but the ghost of its past life, fragments of slogans and desires layered on top of each other. Tell me, what feeling do you get from the prominent 'F'? Does it feel grounded, floating or heavy somehow? Editor: That’s a good question! The 'F', partially torn away, feels weighty, like a fragment of something larger. A billboard, maybe? Curator: Precisely! Rotella called this technique "décollage"—un-gluing. It's like reverse collage, where instead of adding, he's tearing away. A beautiful contradiction to the culture it represents. What's the most curious aspect for you? Editor: Probably how he manages to create a cohesive image out of all this chaos. Like, even though it's ripped and torn, my eye still finds a path through it. Curator: Indeed! He's a master of controlled demolition. Think of it as an archaeology of the present, layers of meaning exposed through careful destruction. It's a potent reflection on consumer culture. You find such harmony within deconstruction. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to put it, an "archaeology of the present!" I’ll definitely remember that. Thanks for illuminating that! Curator: And thank you! It’s refreshing to explore these "un-glued" perspectives together. Now if only daily life offered a handy un-glue button!