Franco Guerzoni (Modena, 1948)

in 1970 started working using non-traditional and ephemeral practices of artistic production, highly experimental techniques close to photography. The context is strongly influenced by a conceptual imprint and characterized by an intense dialogue with other young artists, such as F. Vaccari, C. Parmiggiani, L. Ghirri. In 1973, he displayed his first solo show, Archeologia, curated by R. Barilli, Studio G7 Gallery, Bologna. During those years, the artist pays great attention to archeological themes and to the concept of memory; in addition, he creates artist books which investigate subjects as the journey, the reproduction of the image and its related ambiguity. He visits Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, India and Nepal; this period is testified through exhibitions such us Blow-Up, 1976; Foto-grafia, curated by A. C. Quintavalle, 1977; Il tesoro di Begram, Trisorio Gallery, Naples, 1978. In the early 1980, he becomes more interested in painting, conceived as materialization, opposed to the representation of the wall, a concept through which he completes his own archaeological research: he creates big chalky papers exhibited in Carte di viaggio, Villa Romana, Florence; Cosa fanno oggi i concettuali?, Rotonda della Besana; Scavi superficiali, Galleria Civica, Modena. At the end of the century, Guerzoni starts some large cycle of works, such as Decorazioni e rovine, Venice Biennale, Venice, 1990, and Restauri provvisori, curated by P. G. Castagnoli, Galleria Comunale d’Arte Moderna, Bologna.  He displays his works among other several solo and group shows in Italy and abroad. In 2011, he participates in Padiglione Italia, LIV Venice Biennale, Venice; in 2013 Palazzo Pitti hosts the anthological show La parete dimenticata. Among his recent exhibitions we recall Nessun luogo, da nessuna parte. Viaggi randagi con Luigi Ghirri, Triennale di Milano, Milan, 2014; Archeologie senza restauro, MAMbo, Bologna, 2014; Futuruins, Palazzo Fortuny, Venice, 2018; L’immagine sottratta, Museo del Novecento, Milan, 2020-2021. In 2022 he participates in the group show Renverser ses jeux at Jeu de Paume, Paris then at Triennale Milano, Milan. Currently, he lives and works in Modena.