59 1/8 x 82 5/8 in
For the last fifteen years, Alexandru Rădvan is known for his large works in which he examines ancient myths and mythologies through a contemporary approach. Alexandru Rădvan's work often has references in literature. The heroes of ancient legends become conversation partners with whom the artist identifies.
"Island for Umberto" has the literary source in the novel "Island of the Day Before" (Italian: "L'isola del giorno prima") written by Umberto Eco. Alexandru Rădvan envisions an island for his favorite writer. The artist confessed: "Sharp butterflies cut through the hot air. Dry reddish dirt crumbles under my sandals. I wish this was an island and maybe it is. I am the only masculine presence here, but I feel I am not the only human being on this piece of land. There have to be some women on these shores. Big, robust, with their heated skin smelling beautiful, totally unaware of my presence. I will watch them, hunt them down one by one, love them with delicate passion, make them feel beautiful under the most shining of the Sun's".
Rădvan's island creates the context for the search of love and the meaning of time. A time for inner search that reveals the power of desire. A somewhat truncated desire, in which the characters are formed following a mental puzzle. The artist almost completely abandoned the backgrounds, the vegetation is barely present and suggested parts of the human body barely make their presence felt. A personal island, full of warmth and strong colors. A torrid paradise in which colored butterflies fly incessantly.
Curator: Diana Dochia, PhD
