Architecture: Paolo Ventura | Milano Per Filo e Per Segno
Paolo Ventura, Untitled (Milan2_11), 2023, Signed, Mixed media (photography, painting, collage), 27.5 x 55 inches, Edition of 3
© Courtesy of Weinstein Hammons Gallery
Written and Photo Edited by Wenjie (Demi) Zhao
Line by line, Paolo Ventura threads the cityscape of Milan with sixteen new works in his latest solo exhibition at Weinstein Hammons Gallery in Minneapolis. Traversing different mediums — photography, painting, and collage — while drawing inspiration from 20th-century Italian history and neorealist film, Ventura playfully employs various painterly elements and techniques to present a visual story of Milan’s architecture, the city where he grew up.
Milano Per Filo e Per Segno is Ventura’s love letter to Milan, one of the oldest cities in Europe, where he explores the potency of architecture, history, and visual storytelling. His process begins with a photograph printed on multiple panels, which are meticulously stitched together. Ventura uses paint to omit and highlight the imagery, weaving a striking and dreamy cityscape, and constructing a rich and immersive visual experience.
Paolo Ventura’s captivating collage of Milan’s Porta Sempione, or “Simplon Gate,” the artist masterfully intertwines the past and the present. His signature fusion of photography, painting, and collage techniques infuses the neoclassical triumphal arch with a dreamlike quality, inviting viewers to embark on a journey through the layers of time and memory. Ventura skillfully juxtaposes the imposing structure with elements of modern Milan, creating a visual dialogue that underscores the city’s evolving spirit while still remaining anchored in its storied history. The collage features the majestic arch, adorned with its intricate sculptures and reliefs, set against a minimalist backdrop, as if the arch itself is a portal to a timeless, otherworldly Milan.
Paolo Ventura, Untitled (Milan2_13), 2023, Signed, Mixed media (photography, painting, collage), 27.5 x 39 inches, Edition of 3
© Courtesy of Weinstein Hammons Gallery
The artist’s keen attention to detail and imaginative use of color, light, and shadow evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia, as viewers explore the complex tapestry of Milan’s history, culture, and identity. Through his unique portrayal of Porta Sempione along with a collection of other Milanese architectural landmarks, Ventura offers a fresh perspective on this iconic city, transforming it into a visual metaphor for the Milan’s resilience, creativity, and enduring allure.
Paolo Ventura, Untitled (Milan2_06), 2023, Signed, Mixed media (photography, painting, collage), 27.5 x 39 inches, Edition of 3
© Courtesy of Weinstein Hammons Gallery
Paolo Ventura, Untitled (Milan2_01), 2023, Signed, Mixed media (photography, painting, collage), 27.5 x 39 inches, Edition of 3
© Courtesy of Weinstein Hammons Gallery
The exhibition’s title, derived from an Italian expression meaning “word for word” and “by line and by thread,” playfully alludes to the photographic representation of these Milanese buildings and the perspective lines drawn throughout. Reminiscent of neorealist films, Ventura’s works on paper present a simple, linear narrative that centered around the architecture in one of the world’s oldest cities.
These collages aim to provide a bittersweet retrospective in post-war Milan in the 20th century, where the architecture is emphasized through natural lighting and presentation, avoiding overly dramatic or stylized camera work to create a sense of realism and immersion. Ventura’s perspective allows the audience to fully absorb the scene and its details, contributing to the realistic and unfiltered portrayal of architecture in post-war Italy. The minimal editing allows scenes to unfold naturally, maintaining continuity in the presentation of architectural structures.
As the fervent whispers of history intertwine with the soaring aspirations of modernity, Milan’s skyline becomes a mesmerizing symphony of form and function, reflecting the city’s indomitable spirit. Ventura builds his own city and life by constructing houses and photographing them in groups, creating an empty, surreal city devoid of people, animals, and other distractions. This simplified, flattened cityscape evokes a sense of mystery and encourages viewers to examine the scenes more closely.
Paolo Ventura, Untitled (Milan2_16), 2023, Signed, Mixed media (photography, painting, collage), 39 x 29.5 inches, Edition of 3
© Courtesy of Weinstein Hammons Gallery
By intricately connecting threads of history, memory, and artistic expression, Paolo Ventura offers a fascinating exploration of Milan’s architectural landscape that is both familiar and otherworldly. Through his lens, we are transported to a place where the past, present, and future merge, revealing the rich tapestry of a city that has endured the test of time.
For more information, visit Weistein Hammons Gallery’s website.
