Tano Festa

TANO FESTA Rome, 1938 - Rome, 1988 Tano Festa, born on November 2, 1938, in Rome, was an Italian artist known for his work in the field of artistic photography. He attended the Art Institute in Rome and graduated in 1957, specializing in "Artistic Photography" under the guidance of Professor Alberto Libero Ferretti. During his studies, Festa developed a fascination with the effects of chemical reactions in the darkroom, experimenting with throwing acid directly onto photographs. Festa formed close friendships and artistic partnerships with his peers, including Mario Schifano, Franco Angeli, Renato Mambor, Sergio Lombardo, Giosetta Fioroni, Cesare Tacchi, Jannis Kounellis, Mario Ceroli, and Umberto Bignardi. Together, they were part of a vibrant art scene in Rome, often referred to as the "Young School of Rome" or the "Scuola di Piazza del Popolo." They would gather at locations such as Caffè Rosati or the La Tartaruga gallery to exchange ideas and inspiration. Festa's first exhibition was in 1958 at the "Exhibition of Painting" for the "Cinecittà Award" organized by the Italian Communist Party. His early drawings, dating from 1956 to 1958, showed surrealistic influences and featured framed signs in a perspective vision reminiscent of Matta's paintings. In addition to his visual art, Festa also had a passion for poetry, which he pursued throughout his life. He was deeply interested in literature and had close friendships with poets such as Sandro Penna. Festa was known to distribute his poems to passers-by on the Spanish Steps in 1955, often accompanied by illustrations from his friend Ettore Sordini. In 1959, Festa began exhibiting at La Salita gallery, one of Rome's prestigious contemporary art venues. He showcased his works alongside artists like Franco Angeli and Giuseppe Uncini. Festa's artistic style evolved over time, moving away from informal gestures and embracing monochrome paintings. His use of red color, reminiscent of blood and the darkroom's photographic process, became a distinctive feature of his work. In 1960, Festa, along with Angeli, Schifano, Lo Savio, and Uncini, presented their anti-representational, aniconic, monochrome paintings in a series of exhibitions. These exhibitions, including the well-known "Roma 60. 5 painters" at La Salita, brought recognition to the group of artists and positioned them within the international art scene. Festa's artistic exploration continued in 1961 when he started incorporating vertical strips of wood into his paintings, replacing paper. This change aimed to give a more objective aspect to his artwork, removing emotional involvement. However, surrealistic elements persisted in his works, characterized by an arrhythmic arrangement of spaces and a sense of estrangement. Throughout the 1960s, Festa's career gained momentum, with invitations to various exhibitions and growing interest from critics. In 1962, he introduced objects into his art, such as windows, doors, and wardrobes, reconstructed by carpenters based on his designs. This marked the beginning of his collaboration with the La Tartaruga gallery, a significant Roman gallery. During this time, Festa met Giorgio Franchetti, who became his important collector and supporter. In 1962, Festa also traveled to Paris, thanks to a scholarship from the Ministry of Public Education. He participated in several exhibitions and encountered influential artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, and Jasper Johns. Festa's art began incorporating elements inspired by American artists, including hand-traced images and enamel backgrounds.