Trame silenziose presents 32 sculptures, primarily in plaster and ceramic. Bertozzi works through a process akin to a form of “plastic tattooing”, creating surfaces that evoke bone calcification and natural accretions. From these emerges a reflection on time—capable of altering and transforming surfaces that appear timeless in their classical beauty.

Under the sign of metamorphosis, this intervention—meticulously carried out with the fine tip of a burin—is repeated across various plaster and ceramic surfaces. A constant repetition that incorporates the dimension of time, through a slow, contemplative process that shapes matter, forming craters and textures that become a measure of the invisible passage of time.

These works evoke a hidden harmony, not immediately perceptible, inviting the viewer to undertake an inner journey towards a space of calm and equilibrium. The predominant colour of the sculptures is white, a symbol of purity and stillness, often paired with gold, guiding the viewer through an intense visual and sensory experience.

Regarding the use of gold, Zeno Bertozzi explains:

“A golden nest leads me to think of rest, tranquillity, and refuge from chaos, linked to the idea of a primordial dwelling where the walls are made of earth—a shelter that, like a garment, adapts to the body of the animal, protecting it, something that comes close to the body of the mother. In this way, gold gives even greater importance to this protective space, reinforcing it and elevating it to the primary and natural place of dwelling.”

Bertozzi’s sculptures speak of a silent “melody”, echoed in the titles of several works—something intangible, yet present as a force that guides or consoles us. An invisible dance of sound and silence that conveys stories without words, but with strong emotional intensity, where silence becomes a profound form of communication, often more powerful than sound.

“In this sense, they recall the ‘Symphony of Silence’ by Giya Kancheli, which explores silence as a form of music,” states the curator Raffaele Quattrone. “The entire composition is built on pauses, empty spaces, and moments of stillness, creating a reflective atmosphere that evokes solitude and, at the same time, a sense of protection within silence.”

The artist adds:

“The concept of ‘trama’, like that of symphony, is linked to writing and signs, but can also be understood as a combination of lines, spaces and volumes that form a visual structure—a relationship between forms that, in their simplicity, offer multiple possibilities of interpretation.”

In Bertozzi’s works, the invisible becomes a secret melody, perceived only by those willing to listen—a hidden beauty that finds, in silence, a protected space where the external world fades and where art and thought can unfold without distraction. A refuge that does not need to be seen: a “shell” which, like the nests of potter wasps present in some works, preserves us from external chaos, safeguarding memories and fragments of a time that is never entirely lost, but continues to exist in invisibility and silence.

Segno 299 – 1/2025
Il Resto del Carlino – Bologna 26 gennaio 2025

Artra Galleria in Milan and Galleria Studio Cenacchi in Bologna present the solo exhibition Trame silenziose by Zeno Bertozzi, a dual-venue project curated by Raffaele Quattrone.

Based on the idea that collaboration between galleries is not only possible but more meaningful than competition, the exhibition is conceived as a unified cultural project. It offers a broader and more articulated understanding of Bertozzi’s work, enabling audiences in different areas of Italy to access the exhibition.

For this reason, the exhibition is presented across two venues—Artra Galleria in Milan and Galleria Studio Cenacchi in Bologna—and opens on two separate dates: 16 January in Milan and 18 January in Bologna.

The exhibition is on view at Artra Galleria in Milan until 21 February 2025 and at Galleria Studio Cenacchi in Bologna until 28 February 2025.

GALLERIA STUDIO CENACCHI
Via Santo Stefano 63
40125 Bologna

OPENING HOURS
Tuesday–Saturday: 4.30–7.30 pm
Monday: by appointment
Sunday: closed