To Gilberto Perlotto Edited by the writer Mario Rigoni Stern In his father s workshop he learned the art of ironwork that together with the working of terracotta, is one of the most ancient crafts. In his memory though, he still preserves the images and the use of objects that are centuries old, but which today s technology has substituted with others that are much more practical and effective but which do not have the imprint of a man s hand. Only the spirit of a poet could think: let s stop them in time and in memory with the iron cast in the white and wrought on the anvil; let s transmit their memory on forever for what they have been in the life of many people and for what they have been able to suggest to us. So here is the chair of worn straw, the Venetian cloak (tabàro), the bed warmer (monèga), the yoke (bigòlo), the guitar with broken strings and the unglued soundboard, the bread knife (tajàpan) Today they are forever fixed in the solidity of metal even for those who have a weak memory, or for those that have never seen them in use: these objects are here to speak to us of poorer times, but richer perhaps with other things that we have lost. Angelo Gilberto Perlotto, in art Gibo, was born in Vicenza the 20th of August 1959 and lives in Trissino (VI), in via 4 Novembre 33. He is part of a family that has forged iron for more than a century. The nephew of Antonio Lora, an artist of undisputed fame, and son of Germano Perlotto from whom he learnt metal working techniques. He perfects his drawing and moulding techniques in art workshops. His experience as an artist is accompanied by in-depth study and apprenticeship in various foundries, where he experiments lost wax casting techniques and the restoration and preservation of metal. As a self-taught artist he explores the work of repoussage and chiselling. After years of research, he imprints his first ironwork with a hyper-realistic outlook that is considered by critics to be a new chapter of Italian Verismo. In 2007 he is awarded an international prize for evolution in the subject. Personal and collective exhibitions have distinguished his artistic career both in Italy and foreign countries. PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE EXHIBITIONS 1996 Baden (Austria) Oltre il Metallo ( Beyond Metal ) 1996 Reims (France) Oltre il Metallo ( Beyond Metal ) 1999 Fondazione Internazionale La Vigna (VI) Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2000 Lungo il Danubio ( Along the Danube ) steel and metal sculptures Neu-Ulm Museum of Edwin Scharff (Germany) 2000 Baden (Austria) Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2000 Castello di Arzignano (VI) Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2001 Reims (France) Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory )
2001 Museo dei Sogni (Feltre) Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2001 Villa Caldogno (VI) Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2002 Palazzo del Municipio Trissino (VI) Metalmorfosi ( Metalmorphosis ) 2003 Villa San Francesco in Feltre Biglietti non raccolti ( Uncollected tickets ) 2003 European Biennial Limena Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2003 Galleria Masotti Milano Metalmorfosi ( Metalmorphosis ) 2004 Galleria Fusati Brescia Metalmorfosi ( Metalmorphosis ) 2005 International Biennial Arezzo Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2005 Palazzo Vitelli - Città di Castello (Perugia) Metalmorfosi ( Metalmorphosis ) 2006 Biblioteca Bedeschi in Arzignano (VI) Metalmorfosi ( Metalmorphosis ) 2006 Municipality of Sovizzo Memoria Contadina ( Rural Memory ) 2007 International Biennial of Stia (Arezzo), awarded the Premio Internazionale per l evoluzione ed innovazione della materia (International Prize for evolution and innovation in the subject) 2008 Vicenza Gold Fair Passaggio a Nord Est ( North-East Passage ) 2008 VI-ART Monte di Pietà in Vicenza 2010 Public Library G. Zanella in Chiampo (VI) Metalmorfosi" ( Metalmorphosis ) 2011 Palazzo Barbaran in Castelgomberto (VI) Metalmorfosi ( Metalmorphosis ) 2011 Casa dei Carraresi in Treviso (TV) Mistica solitudine ( Mystic Solitude ) 2012 Villa Borromeo ad Arcore (MI) Le nevi di Mario Rigoni Stern 2012 Villa Cordellina Lombardi a Montecchio Maggiore (VI) Metalmorfosi 2012 ViArt (VI) Artex, l arte presente 2013 XX International Art Biennal of Stia (Arezzo) 2013 Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venezia Elevami 2013 Villa Cordellina Lombardi in Montecchio Maggiore (VI) 2014 Ghiotto Art Gallery in Vicenza 2014 Biblioteca Civica Giulio Bedeschi in Arzignano (VI) Lib(e)ro 2014 Antico Maglio in Breganze (VI) Armonie di ferro e di fuoco WORKS IN PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS There are many sculptures placed in private collections: - 2000 The Light of Bethlehem in the cell of Father Kolbe at Auschwitz - 2001 North-East Passage
The Light of Bethlehem - 2000 North-East Passage - 2001-1998-2001 Memoria contadina ( Rural Memory ) Ombrèla ( umbrella ) - 1999 private collection Photo: Paolo Ceola Carèga ( chair ) - 1998 private collection Photo: Paolo Ceola - 2003 Biblioteca Bedeschi in Arzignano (VI) Libro su leggio ( Book on a Lectern ) - Mastrotto Collection Fondazione Alciso of Alvese - Arzignano - Private collection Gnàro e Si spara ancora ( Oblivious and Still shooting ) - Private collection Scala con sòga ( Stair with rope ) - Private collection Veneto assopito e Sgàlmare ( Sleepy Veneto and Worn-out shoes ) - 2003 MoMA Museum of New York Valigia e sedia ( Suitcase and Chair from the collection Rural Memory )
- 2007-2008 National Award Il samaritano dell aria ( The Samaritan of the Air ) in gold and platinum. Il Samaritano dell aria ( The Samaritan of the Air - 2007 TEACHING ACTIVITY 1982-83 Liceo Artistico Boccioni in Valdagno (VI) 1984-85 Istituto Tecnico Rossi in Vicenza 1984-85 Istituto Geometri Canova in Vicenza 1992 Course promoted by the Veneto Region in Arzignano (VI) Il ferro battuto e la lavorazione dei metalli ( Wrought iron and metal working ) 1999 Symposium of the International Foundation La Vigna titled Oltre il metallo ( Beyond Metal ) 2000 Symposium L arte del ferro battuto ( The art of wrought iron ) Rotary Club in Arzignano (VI) 2000 Symposium L arte del ferro battuto ( The art of wrought iron ) Lions Club in Valdagno (VI) 2001 CFP (Centro Formativo Professionale) of Trissino (VI) Il ferro battuto e la lavorazione dei metalli ( Wrought iron and metal working ) RESTORATION OF PUBLIC WORKS 1985 Palazzo Trissino of the Architect Scamozzi, 1570 (seat of the Municipality of Vicenza): restoration of the steel balcony and other works (Work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments). 1986 Palazzo Ghelfi in Treviso (1700) -portal friezes- 1987 Portals of the Sale - Venice - wrought iron - (Work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Venice) 1987 Church of Saints Felice and Fortunato in Vicenza - wrought iron friezes 1988 Palazzo Cino of the Duke Marzotto in Milan (1700) - wrought iron (work subject to the supervision of
the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments in Milan) 1989 Villa Conti Capra-Nogarola in Montorso Vicentino (c.1700) - Restoration of wrought iron and works ex-novo. Ex novo Villa Conti Capra- Nogarola Ex novo Villa Conti Capra- Nogarola 1989 Church of Valle di Castelgomberto (VI): chandeliers in forged iron with Murano glass 1989 Villa Conti Bonin (today Marzotto) in Vicenza-Monte Berico of 1650: restoration of wrought iron and works ex-novo (work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona). 1990 Palazzo Festari in Valdagno (VI) of 1800 -wrought iron- (work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona) 1992 Palazzo Renis-Guerreri in Como -wrought iron- (work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Milan) 1992 Villa Trissino-Marzotto in Trissino (1600) - wrought iron and restoration of Frigimelica (Work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona) 1995 Cathedral of S. Clement in Valdagno (VI): wrought iron gates of 1800 by Antonio Lora 1998 S.Giorgio e il drago ( Saint George and the Dragon ) by Giuseppe Fenzi 1930 in the Church of Arcole (VR) - sculpture of iron and copper (Work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona) 1999 Il Grifo bronze work (by Antonio Zen), placed on the column of Piazza Libertà in Arzignano (VI) (Work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona 2003 Arcangelo S.Michele e il drago ( Archangel Saint Michael and the dragon ) by Antonio Lora of 1903. Work in copper and iron on the bell tower of Trissino (VI) - (Work subject to the supervision of the
Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona) Arcangelo S. Michele e il drago ( Archangel Saint Michael and the Dragon ) (Before and after restoration) Photo: Piero Rasia 2005 Church of Saint Peter and the Apostles of Trissino (VI) - wrought iron restoration by Antonio Lora and new iron lectern and Easter candle holder
Leggio in ferro (iron lectern) Portacero pasquale (Easter candle holder) 2005 Villa Rossi in Vicenza (today Villa alle Scalette office of Trend-Group) of Andrea Palladio (1600) - wrought iron (Work subject to the supervision of the Office of Fine Arts and Historical Monuments of Verona). 2007 Fabio Filzi by Giuseppe Zanetti - bronze work of 1925, becomes the Monumento all alpino ( Monument to the Alpino ) of the square of the A.Fogazzaro School in Arzignano (VI) Fabio Filzi (before restoration) Fabio Filzi (after restoration) 2008 Artistic plaque of Giorgio Fusari (bronze 1932) Altavilla Vicentina (VI)
NEW WORKS 1987 Monumento al Carabiniere Monument to the Carabiniere - Scuola Sotto Ufficiali Chinotto - Vicenza 1991-92 Church of Saint Paul the Apostle of Novale (VI) of 1592 (altar, chandeliers, font and sacred ornamental elements) 1992 Elogio al Lavoro ( Ode to Labour ) plaque commemorating the workers of Thiene - Repoussé copper -Thiene- (VI) 1995 Church of Piana di Valdagno(VI) (chandeliers and sacred ornaments in gold and silver) 1995 Cathedral of Potenza (restoration of the font in bronze and lighting fixtures of the Santissimo (Blessed Sacrament) in wrought iron) 1995 Church of 5th Ataf military airport of Vicenza (cross, lighting) 1996 Cathedral of Orvieto (wrought iron lighting) 1997 Church of Vivaro in Dueville (VI) (altar, lectern and sacred furnishings in wrought iron and silver) 1997 Airport Dal Molin in Vicenza (sacred furnishings and lamps in wrought iron) 2008 Cathedral of Palmares in Brazil. Reliquary in gold and silver Reliquiary Cathedral of Palmares