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9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial becomes a message for the Planet’s rebirth

Art on a journey to the discovery of the Environment’, this was this year’s theme to be interpreted by highly talented artists with their creations in the evocative setting of Monte-Carlo Metropole Hotel, during the past weekend. The ‘9a Biennale d’Arte Internazionale a Monte-Carlo’ (9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial), held on the 11th and 12th June 2021, brought back the joy of human creativity in its various forms and expressions.

The event conceived by the historic Malinpensa Art Gallery by La Telaccia, in Turin since 1972, and under the high patronage of the Embassy of Italy to the Principality of Monaco, gathered seventy-six pieces of art, including paintings, sculptures, bas-reliefs, photographs, digital graphics etc. The awarding ceremony, held on Friday the 11th June in the presence of H.E. Giulio Alaimo, Ambassador of Italy, has decreed the podium composed of ten best artists selected by a technical jury made of critics of art, journalists, editors, gallerists and art collectors.

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
H.E. Giulio Alaimo, Ambassador of Italy to the Principality, welcomed by Monia Malinpensa and Giuliana Papadia (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th June 2021). © Malinpensa Art Gallery by La Telaccia

All the winners were given a special trophy designed by Ugo Nespolo, most popular Italian artist, film-maker and journalist with the participation of Rabarama internationally known artist whose “Legame” (Bond, polished bronze sculpture, 2019) evoked intense emotions of human-natural care.   

Art doesn’t stop and turns back to Monte-Carlo”, pointed out Monia Malinpensa, gallerist, art critic and responsible for Malinpensa Art Gallery in the footsteps of her mother, Giuliana Papadia – “We have planned an immersive exhibition to witness a respectful Art where new languages, forms and colours blend with sensitivity, poetry and descriptive force to enhance the content, communication and technical ability, always keeping a close link to the idea of sustainability”, she added.  Emotions were the real protagonists of the event where the expressive strength to preserve the Planet against the great threats of the present time was at its utmost.

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
Monia Malinpensa with the special guest artist, Rabarama (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th June 2021).© Malinpensa Art Gallery by La Telaccia

This year edition wanted to focus on a more realistic way without catastrophism, always keeping in mind the extraordinary beauty of the natural world. ‘The Sail’ (2020) by Antonio Salinari, talented artist, director of the School of Wooden Sculpture in Susa Valley, enclosed this spirit in an inspiring light silhouette made of different reused precious woods, from the lightest to the darkest, as ambassadors of different global continents and cultures.

Sailing by the wind is the metaphor of the ecological journey: a discovery, an action to learn more about the world respecting the places we cross and people we meet”, highlighted the author, former prize-winner of the ‘Biennale’. 

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
Davide Tornielli, author of ‘Pioggia Artica’ – Arctic Rain (oil painting with spatula on a wooden base, 2019) interviewed by HelloMonaco (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th-12th June 2021). © Maurizio Abbati, HelloMonaco

The title of my art work is meant to emphasize the abnormal concentration of rain in the Arctic regions instead of snow as the result of temperature increase which encourages the inexorable melting of the glaciers”, underlined Davide Tornielli, author of ‘Pioggia Artica’ – Arctic Rain (oil painting with spatula on a wooden base, 2019) – “humankind is now aware that to preserve the planet we must take another path and art can really awaken conscience in order to avoid other tragic consequences such as the one just passed during the health emergency”, he added. “I decided to take inspiration from this mythological figure for a series of paintings being fond of esotericism”, stressed Massimiliano Gissi author of ‘Draco’ (dashed watercolour, 2018) – “there are different types of Dragons corresponding to the four elements of Nature and this one belongs to the Planet Earth being its fierce defender”, he added.

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
Massimiliano Gissi author of ‘Draco’ (dashed watercolour, 2018) interviewed by HelloMonaco (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th-12th June 2021). © Maurizio Abbati, HelloMonaco

The strength of the sea that I represent means the rebellion of Nature that rises up against pollution”, explained Paola Arrigoni author of ‘Le onde’ – Waves (Acrylic and perforated steel sheets, 2020) – “not by chance I used a recycled plywood and aluminium, king of the recyclable materials, which gives lightness and a 3D effect, pointing out how important is reusing supplies in making art to contribute to the environment”, she concluded.

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
Paola Arrigoni author of ‘Le onde’ – Waves (Acrylic and perforated steel sheets, 2020) interviewed by HelloMonaco (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th-12th June 2021). © Maurizio Abbati, HelloMonaco

There was no lack of originality among other works in the exhibition and HelloMonaco collected some further artistic ideas. ‘Tsunami’ by Antonella Stellini referred directly to the high and violent waves resulting from marine earthquakes, so defined in the Japanese tradition. Fury, terror and despair from a transparent mass of Plexiglas develops into incorporated leaves, algae, pieces of cloth, jewellery, money, all symbols of a destructive force both natural and human. ‘Madre Natura’ – Mother Nature by Gianni Depaoli told about environmental pollution from its deepest roots paying a contrast between natural items, sea brood full of life, and a dark pouring of oil invading the marine ecosystem. ‘Ulisse’ – Ulysses by Vincenzo D’Arrò celebrated the human traveller par excellence who moves through a mix up of inedited components from Nature, acting as a godmother or stepmother at the same time.

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
“Legame” – Bond (polished bronze sculpture, 2019) by Rabarama (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th-12thJune 2021). © Maurizio Abbati, HelloMonaco

Tunnel’ by Fulvia Steardo Fermi, played with colour brushstrokes from blue nuances to light ones to give hope for the preservation of the marine biodiversity. ‘Nero in Blue’ – Black in Blue by Giuseppe Cacciatore resulted as an observation of the usual unclear seabed of Venice due to the human impact. ‘Speranza’ – Hope by Daniele Laudadio wanted to disseminate a deep message of solidarity among peoples in defence of our Planet. A nice combination of human spirit and natural breath was depicted by ‘Platamona profondità di un’amicizia’ – Platamona, depth of a friendship by Nadia Monai to reinforce the bond between us and fauna & flora. Not to forget the fragility of this relationship strongly performed by a hurting split on the Earth in ‘The Integrity of the Sea’ by the artist Dada C.

This kaleidoscopic parade of eco-Art marked the Biennale inspiring interest in a Monaco’s spring-summer weekend.

9th Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial
Awarding ceremony in the presence of H.E. Giulio Alaimo, Ambassador of Italy to the Principality (9th MC International Art Biennial, 11th June 2021). © Malinpensa Art Gallery by La Telaccia

2021 Monte-Carlo International Art Biennial

Main theme: ‘Art on a journey to the discovery of the Environment

Hall of Fame

  • Nero in Blue’ – ‘Black in Blue’ by Giuseppe Cacciatore (Construction putty on cardboard and acrylic canvas, 2013).
  • Ulisse’ – Ulysses by Vincenzo D’Arrò (mixed technique of painting on canvas, acrylic, volcanic sand, almond shells and bamboo, 2012).
  • ‘The Integrity of the Sea’ by Dada C (mixed technique of painting on canvas, acrylic, 2019).
  • Madre Natura’ – Mother Nature by Gianni Depaoli (mixed technique, marine organic, resin, pigment, 2020).
  • Speranza’ – Hope by Daniele Laudadio (Elledì) (wooden bass-relief, 2019).
  • Platamona profondità di un’amicizia’ – ‘Platamona’ depth of a friendship by Nadia Monai (acrylic on canvas, 2020).
  • Tunnel’ by Fulvia Steardo Fermi (acrylic on canvas, 2020).
  • Tsunami’ by Antonella Stellini (materials incorporated in methacrylate, 2014).
  • MAre’ – Sea by Eva Trentin (mixed technique, gold leaf botanical print on board, 2020).
  • Pioggia Artica’ – Arctic Rain by Davide Tornielli (oil painting with spatula, 2019).
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