Marjorie Micucci—An arch(a)eological art journey

                       The title of Francesco Arena’s first show in France—curated by Florence Derieux at Frac Champagne-Ardenne—refers to the distance in time between two major events that took place in the city of Reims, one at the beginning of the Great War, the other at the end of the Second World War. Specifically, Arena’s title alludes to the terrible period extending from the first bombing of Reims Cathedral in September 1914 to the signing of the first document marking the German military surrender on May 7 th , 1945. Known for several solo and collective exhibitions (“18.900 Metri su Ardesia,” Rome, 2009; “Sotto la Strada, la Spiaggia,” Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin, 2012; “Orizzonte con Riduzione di Mare,” Rome, 2012…), as well as for his keen interest in politics and history, the young Italian artist Francesco Arena (born in 1978) treats the gallery...

Stanza, 1 - The sleepy dark butterfly - Inner cantos -   «At length – You say –               – What happens to the poem when You and me are Inside the blue frozen Volcanoes, What happens to all of Us when the poem becomes a snow’s Hunter, I ask – –    Tell me – Once more Time – Before night’s Break – What happens to Words if no straight Lines become an Encounter, – You say     – What happens to our Own Travel when You and me are Outside of It – In early deserts – In the day Out – In queer Geometry, What happens to all of Us when the travel becomes a pearl’s Dealer, – I ask –    Tell me – Perhaps using tender words – Perhaps for the last time Together– What happens to the Common journey if Everyday Lines become a sleepy dark butterfly – Part of Death – Part of Ordinary Earths – Part of Life – Part of Infinity’s Room – – You say ...