Escher seen in Rome. Prospectively the same after ten years
Many things can come to your mind when you wonder about Escher. The artistic period in which he developed his marks is for sure one of a kind, filled with several different influences. Even the way he lived his life has been artistic and there is no doubt that his sense for ‘the living’ had a strong influence in his work.
So, going to an exhibition named “Escher” should be as evocative as it is enticing. At Chiostro del Bramante in Rome, a retrospective about this master of lithography and graphic illusion runs until February 22nd 2015. Ten years have passed in the Capitol city from the last exhibition about Escher and, after such a long time, nothing has changed, except the location.
Starting from his Italian period, the itinerary flows chronologically from the beginning to the end of his career. The visitor can deepen his knowledge about the private life of the artist; add some notions of perspective, geometry and mathematics taken to its limit; also, he can have some great fun taking a selfie of his image reflected in a wall of spheres, or in a mirror-box. “Escher” is a very funny exhibition with a lot of interactive sections and for sure it will be great for schoolchildren. What is missing is something new, a strong update about this artist. The opportunities given by his cultural heritage are many and different, from his Dutch origins to the Op Art to the trail of followers, counterfeiters and graphic designers that are still influenced by his art (this last category is confined in a short corridor between the two last rooms).
There is nothing wrong in the will to bring such a great master to the attention of a great audience with a playful attitude but, for a city like Rome, where art is everywhere, one more step is needed. This “Escher” is a good pastime for tourists, a fist approach to a different kind of art for children and an enjoyable revision for everyone who likes Mauk.
Escher, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome, 20 September 2014 – 22 February 2015
M.C. Escher, Barbarano Cimino, 1929, “Escher”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
M.C. Escher, Cloister of Monreale, Sicily, 1933, “Escher”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
M.C. Escher, Hand with Reflecting Sphere, 1935, “Escher”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
M.C. Escher, Double Planetoid, 1949, “Escher”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
M.C. Escher, Rippled Surface, 1950, “Escher”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
M. C. Escher, Fish 1955, “Escher”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
