Pyx - SEGIN (2009)

In Gold and Bronze: The Triumphs of Akelo

 

 

Admired for his splendid creations in gold created using ancient goldworking techniques, Andrea Cagnetti, who works under the artistic name of Akelo, is in the news again. Two important American Museums—The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) of Boston and the Museum of Art and Archaeology of the University of Missouri—have acquired two works for their permanent collections.

Andrea Cagnetti is known for his use of a personal, cryptic language that relates to the mysteries of the universe hidden within the arcane symbols of alchemy. The first piece regards a round pyx called SEGIN (2009) made of 22 kt. gold (900/1000). The body, lid, and knob are finely decorated with plant and animal forms and geometric motifs, which are realized in filigree, granulation and dust granulation. Embodied within this ornamentation are the three realms of nature (mineral, vegetal and animal) and the four primary elements of water, earth, air and fire. Embedded in the crowning knob is a sapphire, synonymous with spiritual elevation.

The second work, entitled YILDUN (2001), is a precious pendant in the form of a bulla (Italian for “bubble”). First used by the Etruscans as an element in jewelry, Roman nobility continued the use of the bulla as a protective amulet. Radiating around the shield-like form appear geometric and plantlike forms outlined in filigree, several of which are then filled with the tiny delicate spheres of granulation. Filigree also decorates the jewel’s suspension tube.

Ever more in demand in the world of art, the artist’s work is the subject of the Museum of Art and Archaeology’s exhibition The Voyage of a Contemporary Italian Goldsmith in the Classical World: Golden Treasures by Akelo (June 5 – September 26, 2010), which will be traveling to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, California (October 7, 2010 – March 11, 2011).

With amazing versatility, Andrea Cagnetti moves with ease from the bench of the goldsmith to the foundry and to the chisel, thus completely embodying the ideal of the Renaissance man projected into the new millennium. During the 67^th edition of the Venice Film Festival, one of the artist’s bronze sculptures, entitled “Hope”, was awarded to Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, a film director from Chad and winner of the Robert Bresson Prize.

#############

For further information:

About Akelo - Andrea Cagnetti production and activity please visit the website www.akelo.it or contact directly the artist by mail at the address akelo@akelo.it