Art exhibition in memory of Sir John Drake-Moore

Sir John Drake-Moore’s works are displayed in the Civic Museum of Maccagno for the first time.
The exhibition, curated by Clara Castaldo with the collaboration of Davide Simone, entitled "Paintings, drawings, sculptures and... Moore, art exhibition in memory of Sir John Drake-Moore,” will be inaugurated on Saturday, December 9th, at 05:30 pm.
This prestigious anthology of selected works, some of which are from private collections and have never been displayed before, presents to the public the work of a great protagonist of contemporary art. You will be able to explore John Drake-Moore's creative and inventive path through his paintings, sketches, sculptures, object design, drawings for theatrical scenery.
"A great international-level exhibit is what we will see here in the museum - explains Fabio Passera, Mayor of Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca -, an extraordinary opportunity that confirms our museum’s firm intention to be a cultural center open to collections and exhibitions whose artistic value goes way beyond the local boundaries. This event will also coincide with the twentieth anniversary of our civic museum’s foundation. "
Clara Castaldo says ”Design, if we think of it as the activity that is behind the construction/realization of any complex object, whether physical or conceptual, is the pivot of this art exhibit. Moore, starting from pre-existing rules and guidelines creates imaginative new ones that he then uses as the necessary specifications for extraordinary artefacts and graphic works that flow within a project.
In a broader sense, we will investigate the very concept of design within visual arts and all the phases of planning behind the desired outcome".
REAL ART VOLUME # 3 – 2017 - a charity art portfolio with unique works by 13 contemporary artists - will also be presented on the inauguration day. Following the first two successful volumes, the project continues now with a limited edition of 130 copies with works by Andrea Bassani, Gianni Cella, Mattia Consonni, Mario De Leo, Marcello Diotallevi, Nataly Maier, Renzo Nucara and Carla Volpati, Claudio Parentela, Peter Hide 311065, Alfredo Rapetti Mogol, Tobia Rava, Isabella Rigamonti, Tetsuro Shimizu.
"The project - explained the organizers in Varese – involves printers, publishers, journalists and creators, all of them united in the name of creativity and solidarity. The proceeds, in fact, are used to support a different non-profit association in the area every year. This year the contribution will be donated to the Mensa dei Poveri on via B. Luini in Varese, run by Suore della Riparazione, who – through donations and the help of volunteers - provide over 300 daily meals to families in need. Each artist is featured in the volume with a double page: a printed work and an original, a sort of small paper museum that invites the observer to develop a tactile relationship with the artistic product ".

John Drake-Moore was born in Tryon, North Carolina, in 1924. At the age of 7 he begins working on his painting skills, guided by Georg Aid. At 17 he starts attending the university, but he is drafted in 1942 and fights on the European front until 1945, giving his contribution to the liberation of Dakau's extermination camp. After graduating from Oxford he moves to Rome to attend the Academy of Fine Arts. In those years he starts collaborating with Veniero Colasanti, a collaboration that will last until 1963. With Colasanti, Moore works on numerous scenographies for important films made at Cinecittà. He becomes an acclaimed costume designer for both cinema and theater, working for such productions as El Cid, 55 days in Beijing, The Fall of the Roman Empire and many more. He later moves to Lugano, where he finds new sources of inspiration in its beautiful landscapes.
He is also fascinated by glassblowing techniques, which further expand the expressive range of his artistic production.
He published four novels ("Pink" in 1970, "The Judas Door" in 1991, "Heathen Earth" in 1995 and "From the Agency with Love" in 2002). He worked in major theaters throughout Europe, including La Scala in Milan. Moore also worked for Teatro La Fenice in Venice, creating the sets for "I Due Foscari", "The Daughter of the Regiment" and the Ducal Palace for "Othello".
Sir John Drake Moore suddenly passed away in Lugano on September 27, 2006. Shortly before dying, he had begun working on a new book about his military past on the European front between 1942 and 1945. Sadly, this work will remain unfinished, as will many other projects by this eclectic artist.

Locandina mostra (click to enlarge)

Paintings, drawings, sculptures and... Moore
Art exhibition in memory of Sir John Drake-Moore
Museo Civico Parisi-Valle - Via L. Giampaolo 1
Maccagno con Pino e Veddasca
From December 9, 2017 to February 4, 2018
Inauguration: Saturday, December 9 - 5.30 pm
Exhibit designed by Clara Castaldo
With the collaboration of Davide Simone
Free admission
Opening hours: Friday from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 12.00 am and from 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Thanks to: Giorgio Bianchi, Michele Campana, Giovanni Colombo, Rosaria Mendetta, Dario Cesaretto, Pro Loco of Maccagno