Beverly Hills-based jeweler, designer, and tastemaker Martin Katz is pleased to announce a collaboration with Italian artist and sculptor Andrea Roggi to unveil the Energy of Life sculpture in Florence. The installation will be on display to the public from November 3- 6, 2023 inside the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio, in the historic heart of the city. The exhibition features a bronze sculpture created by Andrea Roggi and a jeweled sphere designed by Martin Katz to represent the energy source in an original work never shown before in Europe.
The exhibition represents a meeting of two masters; a Hollywood jeweler from California and a sculptor from Tuscany who met and shared a similar philosophy and idea to collaborate to create the Energy of Life sculpture. Two artists – one work. A new form of art linked to humanity and a shared mission encapsulated in a work of art that will be unveiled for the first time in Florence during the 2023 Festival dell’Italia Gentile from the Italian expression of the International Kindness Movement born from the bestselling book Biology of Kindness by Daniel Lumera and Immaculata De Vivo.
Artfully designed in relief to represent Mother Earth, the sphere is the embodiment of the Energy source for the Tree of Life sculpture. Made in 18K white gold, the jeweled sphere was handcrafted in the workshop Atelier of Martin Katz and features more than 2000 gemstones with over 8000 setting prongs holding shades of blue sapphires, paraiba tourmalines and Tsavorite garnets and white diamonds.
“It was exciting to embark on this collaboration with such a talented artist and sculptor as Andrea Roggi. When we first discussed engaging in a collaboration of artists from two vastly different mediums, I was inspired by Andrea’s spirit and vision for this project and his offer to allow me full artistic autonomy with the vision for the sphere. While seemingly simple is its concept of Mother Earth, it was incredibly challenging to articulate the land masses, oceans and waterways to properly express the energy of life source. To partner with Andrea Roggi on this exciting work for the Palazzo Vecchio marks a milestone in the melding of sculptural art and high jewelry. The finished result is a one-of-a-kind bejeweled sculpture that uniquely represents both of our respective arts and well as a great friendship. I have my wife Kelly to thank for bringing us together.” says Martin Katz.
“I am deeply grateful to be able to share my enthusiasm for the realization of this great artwork alongside Martin Katz at Palazzo Vecchio. Working with a prestigious artist such as Martin has been an enriching experience, both artistically and humanly. The encounter with Martin’s art has cast a penetrating light into the very essence of the Energy of Life, transforming this idea into a complete work of art capable of capturing every facet of the human soul, its complexity and the sense of responsibility towards our Earth. Palazzo Vecchio, with its centuries-old history and iconic role in Italian and international culture, is the perfect theater to celebrate the embrace between two disciplines as ancient as sculpture and goldsmithing. I hope this collaboration will elevate and engage our minds, provoking intimate reflections and creating connections, for this is the true power of art.” says Andrea Roggi.
To celebrate the opening of the exhibit, Martin Katz along with his wife Kelly Katz and Andrea Roggi, and curator Felicia Cigorescu will host a series of special events on November 4th, beginning with an “Energy of Life” panel discussion at Salone dei Cinquecento at 3:30 pm in Palazzo Vecchio.
During the Festival dell’Italia Gentile, Martin Katz and Andrea Roggi will participate in a discussion with Daniel Lumera founder of the International Kindness Movement and Art Director and Curator Felicia Cigorescu, and a panel of scientists on November 4th to discuss the concept of Life and Interconnection. Curated by Art Director Felicia Cigorescu in collaboration with the Festival dell’Italia Gentile and the International Kindness Movement with the support of the Municipality of Florence and the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Culture Alessia Bettini, several panel discussions will take place during the day in the Salone dei Cinquecento focusing on spirituality, environmental issues and social issues.
“I decided to promote and curate The Energy of Life by Andrea Roggi and Martin Katz in preview in Florence because this city is the crib of the Italian culture. It has a strong symbolic meaning in its very idea of interconnection, which is also the theme of the festival “Roots.” As an art director, for me, Art has to be in the service of a new humanity that restores value to beauty in a sustainable vision of the world. This is also my mission for this incredible project. Art has a strong impact on our society. My vision of ”Energy of Life is focused on “What is the soul? The soul is consciousness and it shines like the light inside the heart,” says Felicia Cigorescu.
VENICE EXHIBITION | SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN ROCCO, VENICE (December 21- January 6, 2024)
Following Florence, Martin Katz and Andrea Roggi will present the Energy of Life sculpture in Venice with an exhibition from December 21st – January 6th with an opening reception on the 21st with a piano concert by Letizia Michielon. The sculpture will be exhibited in the enchanting setting of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco in Venice. Organized by the Parco della Creatività Cultural Association and the Archivio Vittorio Cini Foundation in collaboration with the Paolo Rizzi Cultural Association, SKAL Venezia and the Chamber of Commerce of Venice, and Rovigo. The curator of the Venice event will be Rina Dal Canton, past president of the Paolo Rizzi Cultural Association.
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