Life Studies

This year it seems to me that time is flying faster than usual; March is already here

and I am left wondering where February has gone... Unfortunately, this also means 

that I won't have the time to visit the beautiful exhibition of Felice Tosalli which ends 

next week at the Galleria dell'Incisione in Brescia. One more reason to thank

 the gallery's owner and curator Chiara Padova for sending me the catalogue 

and these pics to enjoy and share with you!

The talented Italian artist Felice Tosalli (1883-1958) was among the many artists 

who turned their interest to animal themes during the late 19th and early 20th century.

He was born in Valsesia, an Alpine valley that was also the birthplace of my paternal grandfather, 

and learned to master his father's woodworking craft as an apprentice in his workshop.

After completing his studies in Turin, in 1903 Tosalli moved to Paris and found employment

 in a wood restoration shop. In Paris he often visited the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes 

to observe and sketch the captive animals. His precise and careful study of animal bodies and gestures

is obviously the source of the elegant drawings and preparatory sketches on show at the gallery,

and of the wonderfully lifelike poses of his sculptures.

In 1907 Tosalli went back to Turin, where he worked as a movie poster artist 

and as a lithographer and illustrator at Fratelli Doyen. He also began to participate 

in art exhibitions and receive commissions, mostly in the field of wooden sculpture. 

In the late 1920's Tosalli began to produce a series of limited edition animal figurines

in ceramic for the famous Italian company Lenci, and later for Rosenthal and C. 

These small works are still much appreciated by collectors for their refinement, 

attention to detail, and ability to capture the spontaneous beauty of animal life.

Lust for Life

Illustration, 1930

Giò Ponti was one of the most productive and eclectically creative Italian designers of the 20th century. 
He was born in Milan in 1891, and after serving as a captain in WWI, graduated in architecture in 1921. 
His long career never slowed down until his death in 1979, and his love of design found expression
 in many different arenas, from large-scale architectural projects, including Milan's first skyscraper,
 to the creation of decorative objects, fabric and furniture, to the founding and editing of the innovative
 and still influential Domus magazine. The range of his activities also included industrial design,
 painting, interior decoration, poetry, teaching and lecturing. 

Richard Ginori, 1920s

Ponti designed a vast array of objects in collaboration with some of the best craftsmen of his time,

and animal subjects were explored in different periods, utilizing various media and styles. 

From 1923 to 1930 he was the artistic director of the porcelain manufacturer Richard Ginori,

 and revolutionized the company's output with new product lines featuring simple ceramic forms

 decorated with elegant neo-classical motifs. Under his direction the company won the Grand Prix

 at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes in 1925.  

Richard Ginori, 1920s

Richard Ginori, ca. 1925

Richard Ginori, 1930

Richard Ginori, 1930s 

Fornasetti chair prototype 

In 1940 Ponti met another eclectic and productive Italian designer, Pietro Fornasetti, 
and they began a long period of collaboration.

Fornasetti table, 1950

Fornasetti desk, 1950s

Giò Ponti and Paolo De Poli 

During the 1940s Ponti also worked with Paolo De Poli, master copper enamelist, on furniture and decorative panels, 

and in the 1950s the two produced a series of objects and animal sculptures together. 

Ponti was a prolific draughtsman, and the animal figures first took shape as quick sketches. 
De Poli took these flat forms and turned them into freestanding objects by cutting 
and folding them as if they were made out of paper. 

Giò Ponti and Paolo De Poli, 1950s

Fine much more about Ponti and his work at the official website and archives.

From the Farm to the Jungle

Lost and Found, 1981

If you have been following Animalarium for a while, you have likely already seen some works

  by the American painter, illustrator and author Dahlov Ipcar. It's about time that I dedicate

 a full post to this wonderful artist!

World Full of Horses, 1981, thanks to SurrendrDorothy

 Ipcar was born in 1917, the second child of the renowned artists William and Marguerite Zorach, 

and grew up in New York. When her artistic talent began to manifest itself at an early age, 

her parents didn't enroll her in any art courses, but instead encouraged and nurtured her talent 

in the creative atmosphere of their home, leaving her free to develop her unique personal style. 

One Horse Farm, 1950

Animals were always a part of Dahlov's life: her family's pets rincluded Maine Coon cats, dalmatian dogs, 

rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, goldfish, finches and parakeets. As a young child she dreamt of living in a farm, 

and animals were already her favorite subject, especially jungle wildlife. The family spent their summers

 in the countryside, and in 1923 they bought a large farm on Georgetown Island, Maine. 

Ten Big Farms, 1958

In 1936, at age 19, Dahlov married Adolph Ipcar, and the following winter the young couple

 moved into a farmhouse on her parent's property. Both enjoyed their simple rural life devoid

 of modern conveniences such as electricity, indoor plumbing and central heating. 

They learnt the skills necessary for living off the land from neighbors and old manuals,
and started their own dairy farm. Besides cows, they raised poultry, horses and pigs,

all without outside help. 

Brown Cow Farm, 1959

While working on the farm and raising her two sons, Ipcar continued to work on her art.

 Her chosen subjects were family portraits and scene of farm life. In 1945 she illustrated 

her first children's book, The Little Fisherman by Margaret Wise Brown. 

Hard Scrabble Harvest, 1976

The book's success launched her artistic career, and she went on to write and illustrate

 over thirty children's books of her own. Numerous of these books are based 

on her joyful and frustrating experiences while working on the farm.

 In the '50s Dahlov began experimenting with new artistic ideas, and found inspiration in her childhood love 
for exotic animals. The 1960 book Calico Jungle marked a turning point in her style: the intricate patterns
 and bold colors of these illustrations were to become defining elements of her work.

The Cat at Night, 1969

Bug City, 1975

Blue Savannah, 1978

King Cheetas

Amboseli - Kudo and Wild Dogs, 1976

Dahlov's creative output includes a variety of other projects, including soft sculptures, large-scale murals

 for public buildings, four fantasy novels, and a volume of short stories for adults. Now 92,

 she continues to live on her farm, while her beloved husband died in 2003 at the age of 98. 

Celeste from the Dahlov Ipcar Rug Collection

Still feisty and energetic, Dahlov paints on a daily basis and is at works on new children's books.

 Fortunately, many of her older titles are being republished by Islandport Press, while a line of rugs

 and pillow's reproducing designs from her children's books is available at the Classic Rug Collection.

 Dahlov's works are in many permanent collections, including the Metropolitan and Whitney museums. 

Voices from Tibet

Emiliano Ponzi created the illustrations featured in this beautiful and moving animated short 

directed by Olivier Durant and Bruna Guerreiro of Captive studio as part of Leo Burnett's communication

 for the Amnesty campaign "Voices for Freedom" addressing the silencing of civil activists worldwide. 

The animation was inspired by the story of Dhondup Wangchen, who was jailed in 2008

 for having made the documentary Leaving fear behind, which gives voice to the feelings of Tibetans

 regarding Chinese rule over their land. Following his imprisonment, a massive wave of riots and unrest

 spread through Tibet, resulting in the disappearance of over 1000 monks unaccounted for to this day. 

The animation's script was inspired by Buddhist and Tibetan proverbs, and involves many

 symbolic animals which are central to Tibetan life and religion, such as the yak, tiger 

and antelope, while the crane is a national symbol in China.

You may sign this petition asking Chinese President Hu Jintao for the release of Dhondup Wangchen!

The Wild Side of Pino

As promised, here is another installment on the wonderful Pino Pascali.

After exploring his adventures in advertising, I am dedicating this post

to the animal-themed artworks that he created between 1962 and 1965.

 Works from the Africa series, mixed media on acetate, 1964

In the same period, Pascali designed this panel for a mosaic at the FAO headquarters in Rome.

See you again soon with Pino's very Pop sculptures!