Gino Morici
Description
Gino Morici
Places indicated in the IWB register of the Sicily Region (Places of Identity and Memory) - Category: Places of historical and cultural personalities - Sub Category "Places of personalities of architectural and artistic-figurative culture":
The Places of Gino Morici between art and civil devotion: "political" painting between anarchy and fascism, between sublime inventions and migrations of the heart
Eugenio Morici (Palermo 1901-1972), teacher of Scenography and Modeling at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Palermo from 1953 to 1972, was able to grasp the classic motifs of art with extreme and original synthesis, combining them with the most modern requests figurative artists from various European countries and interpreting them with innovative sentiment, reaching a singular expressive authenticity and efficacy, exemplified in the emblematic, varied and highly original representation of the Hidalgo, extreme personification of classical humanitas in its becoming contemporary, restless and heroic at the same time.
Appreciated by directors such as Pietro Germi, he expressed his talent by creating sets, costumes and furnishings for the cinema of the XNUMXs, thus contributing to the success of films shot in Sicily, "manifesting the strong creative energy of a restless artist who is never satisfied with experimenting with materials and forms of expression ". He also left a strong mark in the theater of the fifties and sixties, creating sets for famous works represented in the most important Italian theaters as well as on the island, such as the Massimo in Palermo, the Bellini in Catania and the Teatro Stabile in Palermo.
Eclectic and sunny artist, "carefree disposer of his own genius", skilled and lively inventor, designer and creator of automata and toys, he had decisive roles in the artistic-advertising set-ups of the Palermo and Messina Fairs and in 1958, on behalf of the Tourism Company of Catania, successfully curated the closing ceremony of the EXPO in Brussels.
In the context of Sicilian art and culture of the last century, the figure and work of Morici represent the identity and collective memory, constituting an essential contribution of civil values and creativity, not only artistic, of the last magnificent and generous Hidalgo of Sicily
Sicilian Society of Homeland History - Luigi Di Maggio Hall, Piazza San Domenico- Palermo.
In 1926 Ernesto Basile invited the young Morici to decorate the "Luigi Di Maggio" hall of representation of the Sicilian Society for Homeland History, in the premises of the former Convent of San Domenico. The artist paints Frederick II and his imperial court in a "temperone" on canvas of monumental dimensions that ends in 1929. The large decorative panel shows the skills and the figurative strength of the artist who outlines the faces with intensity, especially that of the emperor Stupor mundi. In the background he draws the architectural structures of Palazzo dei Normanni, the bell tower of San Giovanni degli Eremiti and the Palazzo della Cuba, with intentions of unrealistic but dreamy civic value, which he will further testify in the XNUMXs.
Academy of Fine Arts, via S. Alessandro - Palermo.
Morici held the chair of Engraving at the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo from 1932 to 1968, with a two-year suspension, from 1934 to 1936, on charges of anti-fascism. Having resumed teaching, he also held, from 1953 to 1972, the chair of Scenography and Modeling at the Faculty of Architecture. The Academy holds matrices, prints and an automaton depicting a wooden horse, as well as other contraptions, a true passion of the artist-inventor.
Headquarters of the Banca del Nisseno - Cooperative Credit - ex Palazzo delle Poste di Caltanissetta, via Francesco Crispi - Caltanissetta.
In 1933 he was called to create the decorative apparatus of the Palazzo delle Poste in Caltanissetta, now owned by the Banca del Nisseno, a property declared of historical and architectural interest and bound by DA n. 6669 of 22.06.1989. In the pictorial cycle of refined conception and highly calibrated execution, the variegated symbols of the time are made explicit with realistic effect, with undisputed skill and quality. With tenacious motivations, the artist painted the Allegory of Italy in 1934, an oil on panel measuring 3,90 mx 2,05 m, conceived for the Sala del Telegrafo, on the first floor of the building, in a special mural space. The allegorical painting, bound with DDGn585 of 26.03.2015, exalts the agricultural and seafaring vocation of Italy, represented with a solid iconographic approach, by a young woman holding a lictorium, sitting on a rock overlooking the sea crossed by two sailing ships. On either side, two men maneuver a winch, a young man holds a bundle of ears and a woman holds a basket of grapes on her head.
Post Office of Agrigento, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele - Agrigento.
In 1935, the artist created a large polychrome mosaic for the entrance pronaos of the building. The work, divided into five square panels (Land Transport, Sea Transport, Air Mail, Radio and Telegraphs, Agrigentum), represents the history of modern communication routes, surmounted by a gigantic San Cristoforo, also protector of post offices, portrayed as he exits from the waves with the Child Jesus in her arms, in accordance with the most classic iconography of the Saint. The City is symbolically represented by three towers and three giants.
Chapel of the Gian Filippo Ingrassia Hospital in Palermo, Corso Calatafimi - Palermo.
The mural fresco The Four Evangelists, which winds along the sides of the altar of the Chapel of the Gian Filippo Ingrassia Hospital, dates back to 1936. The artist's pictorial mastery emerges in the harmony of soft, evanescent and delicate colors. In the two over doors, four flying angels are surprising for the gracefulness of the poses and the refined drapery of the veils.
House of mother and child "Maria Pia di Savoia", Via Noviziato - Palermo.
The family, a square fresco that deals with the theme of motherhood and childhood, was created in 1937
Government Palace, Corso Vittorio Veneto - Ragusa.
In 1937, with the painter Pippo Rizzo and the collaboration of the young Gianbecchina and Gaetano Sparacino, Morici decorated the Empire room of the Iblean Prefecture with the monumental Allegory of the Roman Empire fresco, a work of remarkable dynamism and chromatic variety.
Municipal offices of Palermo, Piazza Giulio Cesare - Palermo.
In 1937 he painted large geographical maps on the walls of the offices of the Command of the Air Force of Palermo, today the seat of the Municipal Department for Participation and Decentralization. The "geographic" theme will return a few years later in the furnishing and decoration of the Savona house in Palermo, where the artist will embellish the children's room with the same geographical elements, stimulating learning and journeys of the imagination.
Hotel Villa Igiea, Salita Belmonte - Palermo.
In the fifties, in Palermo, he was engaged in the decoration of numerous public places, including the bar of the Villa Igiea hotel, renovated after the war bombings that had destroyed the furniture designed by Basile and made by the Ducrot company. Along the walls the brilliant artist returns to show his great love for "his" Palermo, painting the churches and palaces with a suggestive result.
Forcella De Seta Palace, Foro Italico - Palermo.
In the XNUMXs, in the Palazzo Forcella - De Seta restores some pre-existing mosaics and creates new ones, reproducing with figurative effectiveness the silhouettes of fairs with classical canons.
The City of the Boysi, viale Duca degli Abruzzi, Palermo.
In 1956 the Municipality of Palermo entrusted Morici with the design and artistic direction of the setting up of the City of Children, a work dedicated to children in the Parco della Favorita. The artist creates a compendium of fantastic settings with imaginary monsters and animals created by his friend Mario Pecoraino, arousing the enthusiasm of the children. The fairytale city, after years of closure, is now reopened to the public.
Villa Pajno, Via Libertà - Palermo.
In 1957, for the prefectural residence of Palermo, he designed a helical wooden staircase of remarkable craftsmanship, also customary in Morici's collaborators who recognized him as "one of them".
Church of San Michele Arcangelor, via Pipitone Federico - Palermo.
In 1957 the artist designed a large ceramic panel for the external apse of the church of San Michele, made by Giovanni De Simone, depicting the Archangel Michael subduing Evil.
Church of San Espedito , Via Garzilli - Palermo.
Interior decorations (1960)
Aula Magna of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze - Palermo.
In 1961, called by a colleague of the Faculty of Architecture, the artist resumed the mural painting activity carried out in the 30s. The ceiling of the porch at the entrance to the classroom is frescoed with ethereal images of women in classic tunics holding a fruit, a leaf, a butterfly, symbols of the sciences studied in the Faculty of Agriculture. The large scene (45 mXNUMX) that unfolds in the classroom represents the theme of agriculture with the fresco The earth and water.
Sala del Audience in the former headquarters of the Cassa di Risparmio (today Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa), piazza Borsa - Palermo.
In 1963, during the renovation and modernization works of the Cassa di Risparmio headquarters on the occasion of the centenary of the foundation of the banking institution, Morici decorated the Sala del Pubblico by painting The Savings, a temperone of about 30 square meters. representing scenes of archaic, pastoral and peasant work.
Church of Santa Lucia al Borgo, Piazzale della Pace - Palermo.
In 1964 Morici was called to decorate the basin of the apse of the church in the Borgo Vecchio district of Palermo where he created a very peculiar example of oil-on-brass work which, in the soft drapery of the Santa Lucia cloak, reveals once again the extraordinary sensitivity of the artist. .
(Text source: http://www.centrorestauro.sicilia.it/Read.asp?Id=330)
concise list:
| Sicilian Society of Homeland History - Luigi di Maggio Hall, Piazza San Domenico | Palermo |
| Academy of Fine Arts, Via S.Alessandro | Palermo |
| Headquarters of the Banca del Nisseno - Cooperative Credit - former Palazzo delle Poste di Caltanissetta, via Francesco Crispi | Caltanissetta |
| Palazzo delle Poste in Agrigento, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele | Agrigento |
| Chapel of the Gian Filippo Ingrassia Hospital in Palermo, C.so Calatafimi | Palermo |
| House of the mother and child "Maria Pia di Savoia", via Noviziato | Palermo |
| Government Palace, Corso Vittorio Veneto | Ragusa |
| Municipal offices of Palermo, Piazza Giulio Cesare | Palermo |
| Hotel Villa Igiea, Belmonte climb | Palermo |
| Forcella De Seta Palace, Foro Italico | Palermo |
| The City of Boys, Viale Duca degli Abruzzi | Palermo |
| Villa Pajno, via Libertà | Palermo |
| Church of San Michele Arcangelo, via Pipitone Federico | Palermo |
| Church of San Espedito, via Garzilli | Palermo |
| Aula Magna of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Palermo, viale delle Scienze | Palermo |
| Sala del Audience in the Former Headquarters of the Savings Bank (Today Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa), Piazza Borsa | Palermo |
| Church of S. Lucia al Borgo, piazzale della Pace | Palermo |
Card insertion: Ignazio Caloggero
Information contributions: Web, Region of Sicily
Photo: web
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