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bio

michele simonetti [b. 1976, italy] lives and works in brooklyn, new york. after receiving his masters in architecture from the university of florence [2002], he developed a passion for architectural brutalism and minimalism. he moved to new york in 2014, where he expanded his interest to the intersection of architecture and contemporary art. through a play between abstraction and representation, his painting practice explores the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. recent exhibitions include group shows in new york and miami [us], milan and florence [it], and the solo show “the advent of modernity” at agora gallery, new york [us].

italian artist based in brooklyn, new york. inspiration for his work stems from direct observation of his surroundings. using sharp lines and high-contrast color fields, simonetti synthesizes the urban landscape into compositions of minimal purity and spatial tension. through abstraction and simplicity, he is able to find a shared visual language that can relate to everyone personally, culturally and emotionally. the forms are purposefully stripped of any identifying feature, becoming universal references that trigger unexpected memories and build an intimate connection with the viewer.

chromatic distortion is another technique used by the artist to divert the audience’s attention from the original subjects. across the canvases float thick and textured color fields in navy blue, cerulean, maroon, or gold. ample negative spaces invite the viewer to use their imagination and build unique and personal narratives: it is an invitation to action. simonetti says: “my work is an investigation on personal and collective memories, real and imagined worlds. I am looking for a common ground, a place of shared visual experiences.”
 

I paint minimalist abstract compositions that explore the relationship between real and imagined worlds, personal and collective memories. living in new york city, my inspiration comes from my immediate surroundings: the corner of a townhouse, the curved edge of a rooftop, the silhouette of a skyscraper. the original urban references, however, are stripped of any specific feature to achieve purity of lines, colors, and geometries. in doing so, I seek to create generic and familiar landscapes that evoke memories that are intimate and personal. the use of ample negative space and stark chromatic contrasts are further invitations for the viewer to fill the voids with their own imagination and identify in each piece. by exploring a shared visual language, I discover the fascinating complexity of human perception.

exibitions

10.2024

09.2024

09.2024

07.2024

06.2024

red | loy luo space | new york [us]

trasposizioni | breckenridge gallery | montaione [it]

gold | loy luo space | new york [us]

alfabeto astratto | aaie center for contemporary art | roma [it]

alfabeto astratto | l. bellini museum | firenze [it]

04.2024

03.2024

01.2024

thru 02.204

12.2023

12.2023

12.2023

11.2023

10.2023

10.2023

09.2023

09.2023

07.2023

07.2023

06.2023

magnifica | aaie center for contemporary art | roma [it]

child mind institute permanent collection  | new york [us]

arte e collezionismo | le murate | firenze [it]

tristate italian art prize | consulate general of italy | new york [us]

art sysposium | le murate | firenze [it]

act VII | galeria azur | miami [us]

red dot | miami art week | miami [us]

wonder art | ma-ec palazzo durini | milan [it]

salon show | greenpoint gallery | brooklyn [us]

act VI | galeria azur | miami [us]

the advent of modernity | agora gallery | new york [us]

dreamars IV | hub/art | milan [it]

the backroom collection | the shirley project space | brooklyn [us]

the mind's eye | agora gallery | new york [us]

break a leg | museo bellini | firenze [it]

features

04.2024

magnifica |  printed catalogue

curated by f. mazzeo gallo | roma [it]

03.2024

artistic tribe nyc, vol 1 |  printed catalogue

curated by nom de plume | new york [us]

12.2023

cai | catalogo artisti italiani 2023 | printed catalogue

curated by g. coronas, v. venneri

12.2023

italiareportusa |  miami art week, l' artista italiano simonetti si racconta [interview] | miami [us]

11.2023

wonder art | printed catalogue

curated by v. agosti | milan [it]

10.2023

artist close up | printed magazine | october issue | berlin [de]

09.2023

the advent of modernity | printed catalogue

curated by f. mazzeo gallo |  roma [it]

09.2023

dreamars IV | printed catalogue

curated by e. amos | milan [it]

09.2023

artist tribe | printed magazine | vol. I/05 | new york [us]

08.2023

08.2023

07.2023

building tomorrow and today in the city and in art

art-mine newsletter | new york [us]

beyond blueprints | art-mine blog | new york [us]

crafting a shared visual language | aatonau.com | tokyo [jp]

06.2023

break a leg | catalogue | firenze [it]

06.2024

alfabeto astratto |  printed catalogue

curated by a. milot | roma [it]

press

10times.com 1stdibs.com  aatonau.com  agora-gallery.net  allevants.in  artbase.com arte artforum.com artmo.com artnet.com artpickle.com artrabbit.com artspacemilano.com artsy.com artweek.com cityguidemagazine.com citytour.com donyc.com eleventary.com europapress.es eventbrite.com events.com eventsget.com eventsnearhere.com exhibart.com forbes.es happeningnext.com hub-art.org ilgiornaleoff.it ilnewyorkese.com informazione.it  italiareportusa.com  larepubblica.com lavocedinewyork.com milanotoday.it mutualart.com newyorksocialdiary.com notimerica.com saatchiart.com socialweb.com  theartguide.com  weeklyaffair.us  widewalls.ch  yelp.com

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