MODEST & FURIOUS
“I aim to unravel the intricate tapestry of memory, shedding light on its complexities and
revealing the profound impact it has on our personal and collective experiences. By diving
into the realms of memory and language, I evoke introspection and spark reflections about
the delicate interplay between human and non-human communication systems in our ever
evolving world.”
Born in 1957 in Pergola, Province of Pesaro-Urbino, Italy, Modest & Furious spent his formative years in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. He attended the European School of Luxembourg before pursuing a degree in Chemistry at Bologna University. Furthering his academic journey, he earned a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Parma. In 1988, he joined Stanford University, CA, as a Post Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Microbiology, returning to Bologna in 1990 to contribute to the local University’s Department of Microbiology. Despite his commitment to science, he has always nurtured a deep fascination with the visual arts, dedicating his spare time to drawing, watercolors, and, more recently, digital painting. This passion for art has provided him with a creative outlet and a way to explore expressive freedom, balancing his scientific career with his artistic pursuits.
In his artistic practice, Modest & Furious delves into the intricate languages of memory, exploring the captivating processes of memory creation, storage, and retrieval within the depths of the human mind. He is particularly fascinated by the mechanisms that allow certain memories to be suppressed by conscious will or repressed through the mysterious pathways of the unconscious world. The multifaceted nature of memory intrigues him—how memories, stored on the shelves of the mind, undergo distortion over time, with fragments lost and distinct portions intermingling to give birth to new amalgamations.
He contemplates how the passage of time decomposes certain memories while rigidly preserving others. Collective memory, or the remembrance of others, also plays a significant role in his exploration. He seeks to understand how the memories of those around us can influence and shape personal recollections, forming intricate connections and overlapping narratives. Additionally, he explores the inherent possibilities within writing systems to impact remembrance.
He is captivated by the codes and languages employed in automated environments, which carry profound implications for how information is perceived and retained. The concept of written systems exclusively tailored for machines serves as an additional contemplative subject in his artistic journey. Modest & Furious aims to critically examine the potential consequences that this evolving state of non-human language may have on society. Through his work, he seeks to unravel the intricate tapestry of memory, shedding light on its complexities and revealing its profound impact on personal and collective experiences. By diving into the realms of memory and language, he evokes introspection and sparks reflections about the delicate interplay between human and non-human communication systems in our ever-evolving world.
Recognitions
Mention by Jury: International Contemporary Art Competition "Combat Prize", 2024, G. Fattori Museum, Livorno, Italy. Recognized in the Graphic Arts category for his unique contribution.
Exhibitions
"Demetra’s Dream": San Babila Gallery, Milan, Italy (April 11-21, 2024).