Dadamaino

It is a rare privilege to be able to count among filoARTE’s collections some works by one of the undisputed pioneers of contemporary art, she who was among the first female artists to break with the traditional patterns and canons of art, in the 1960s: Edoarda Emilia Maino, universally known as Dadamaino.

Recognized as one of the most influential artists of his generation, alongside Lucio Fontana, Piero Manzoni and Enrico Castellani, Dadamaino took a first step toward overcoming two-dimensionality on canvas in 1959, with the series entitled “I Volumi.”

Here he opens the painting to the possibility of the third dimension with a series of monochromatic white, black or natural works, from which he removes large parts of the ovoid-shaped surface, thus creating an empty space within.

In this way, the artist seeks to eliminate all material elements, where it was possible, in order to realize her own concept of immateriality, which for her is closely linked to an idea of primordial purity.

Constant in his art is the search for “movement,” as opposed to traditionally static art, thanks in part to the use of recent techno-scientific experiences.

This experimental path led her in a more mature period, around the 1970s, to the creation of the “Chromoriliefs,” a perfect and successful application of principles of kinetics and dynamics to art.

The Cromorilievi, made of different materials such as wood or aluminum, are compositions resting on wooden boards with a square or rhomboidal format, composed of monochromatic dowels with a square cross-section.

The tiles are arranged at various angles following precise mathematical laws, with the aim of achieving the optical illusion of dynamic three-dimensional shapes that are highly aesthetically impactful.

Dadamaino’s works in recent decades have been increasingly in demand on the international market, due in part to the rediscovery of the artists of the 1960s.

Suffice it to say that some of these masterpieces have been sold for record amounts by some famous auction houses.

Some of his works have become part of famous collections, such as those housed at the Tate Gallery in London or the Guggenheim in New York, as well as exhibitions annually dedicated to the artist around the world.

For us at filoARTE, it is a great satisfaction to have unearthed two of the first Cromorilievi, respectively in wood and aluminum, made by Dadamaino and officially certified.

As well as it is a great satisfaction to be able to offer them to our clientele!