When God walked the earth is an Art Exhibition by artist Mauro De Giorgi, curated by Prof Paolo Diego Bubbio. It opens on the 10th of October at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Sydney Australia.
It is a project developed through a series of artworks by the international Artist inspired by Girard’s mimetic theory. The work developed from a series of exchanges between De Giorgi and Professor Diego Bubbio over the past few years.
The aim of the work is to highlight perpetual themes that are prominent in our culture and society, such as the mimetic nature of desire, violence, sacrifice and scapegoating.
Mauro de Giorgi has exhibited in Italy [Venice Biennale] UK (London), Japan (Tokyo), Singapore and France where he currently resides.
Paolo Diego Bubbio is an Italian philosopher and Associate Professor of Philosophy at Western Sydney University, known for his research on post-Kantian philosophy, hermeneutics and philosophy of religion.
Through this aesthetic experience, we can mediate on our own deeply mimetic nature and on the imperative need to reject scapegoating and violence.
The Artiscape caught up with Mauro de Giorgi to hear about his latest exhibition since we last featured him on The Artiscape.
“I’ve been exhibiting my artworks in Singapore and Florence,” he tells us “but most of my time has been dedicated to the creation of my new series for the next solo exhibition in Sydney.”
De Giorgi’s art combines Asian, Japanese aesthetics and experimental techniques with Western themes and insights. The encounter between De Giorgi’s art and Girard’s mimetic theory is insightful and powerful: in a world wind of evocative and moving images, we travel across ancient myths, Christian symbolism and contemporary suggestions.
We asked him if he has introduced any new media to these works?
“Copper and gold leaves, rice paper, vinegar and a pinch of salt” he tells us, “my current art practice sounds more like a recipe for a salad.”
Mimetic Desire 
Father and Son 
Medusa and the Double, Size cm 66×101
Media – Japanese sumi ink on rice paper, mineral pigments, copper and gold leaves on 600gr cold pressed cotton paper.
Daphne Oedipus dethroned, Size cm 66×101
Media – Japanese sumi ink on rice paper, mineral pigments, copper and gold leaves on 600gr cold pressed cotton paper.
Scapegoat, Size cm 66×101
Media – Japanese sumi ink on rice paper, mineral pigments, copper and gold leaves on 600gr cold pressed cotton paper.
Demons of Gerasa, Size cm 66×101
Media – Japanese sumi ink on rice paper, mineral pigments, copper and gold leaves on 600gr cold pressed cotton paper.
This brand new collection of artworks by de Giorgi was awarded a prize grant from the Raven Foundation in the States.
We asked de Giorgi to elaborate on his collaboration with Professor Diego Bubbio and how Girard’s mimetic theory inspired the imagery in his new Exhibition.
He explains, “To answer your question, I’ll have to start from… the end. The story goes that last year I collaborated with Professor Bubbio from Western Sydney University, on the creation of the book cover for his new publication. Bubbio introduced me to fascinating Girard’s mimetic theory and I got so much enthused about it as to decide to create an entire ‘collection’!”
He continues, “The project eventually has turned into an art event itself, thanks to a grant received by the Raven Foundation, Illinois.”
So, what is this theory about? “In a nutshell, philosopher René Girard claims that human desire is not an autonomous process, but a collective one” explains de Giorgi. “Basically, we want things because other people want them – we imitate others! When this conflict becomes too intense, the community subconsciously choose a scapegoat.”
He explains “Girard sees in mythology a basic necessity to scapegoat (e.g. Cain and Abel). Reading mythology through Girard’s eyes changes the way one interprets history. So – to answer your question – the themes of my new exhibition are an unusual interpretation of these myths: you will see a dethroned Oedipus Rex, a Dancing Salome etc.”
Finally we asked de Giorgi what an audience should expect to see in this Exhibition?
“Expect to see blood, thorns, shape-shifting creatures, as well as an unorthodox use of media!” he explains “The exhibition will take place at the Institute of Italian Culture, located in a heritage building just opposite the iconic Queen Victoria Building. What better location to be walking through a maze of imagery made of human and animal figures, occult symbols and controversial stories.”
For more information about this exhibition visit this website.
