Emmanuele De Ruvo

solo show

15.04.2023

by Marco Tonelli

“The concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few determines a structural balance of society sustained by a handful of leverage points, in the same way as, in architecture, hundreds of tonnes of iron and cement are held up by foundations and a small quantity – in numerical and volumetric terms – of pillars”

(Emmanuele De Ruvo, “Equilibri precari”, Base d’arte e teoria equilibrista, 2011)

Balance, curvature, magnetism, friction, induction, gravity are tangible physical processes, which can be measured in our Universe and are openly expressed as the primary elements in Emmanuele De Ruvo’s works.

De Ruvo, often using magnetic force, stands thus at a significant historical crossroads, as evidenced by the words of the sculptor Takis in his writing from 1983: “A magnet is not an idea – it is something so real that I was led to dream of making a Perpetual Motion machine with magnets. Very soon I realized that this was not really my intention. What interested me was, rather, the way in which magnetism creates a connection between two metallic objects through the magnetic waves which are a communication”.

Marco Tonelli

Emmanuele De Ruvo’s research is characterized by the constant search for equilibrium in a world that is so clearly off balance. He investigates theories of Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton in order to build his “precariously balanced” sculptures. His powerful works attract the viewer with calculated traction, magnetic force and plain physical balance acts. They pose questions rather than give answers, but the quest for equilibrium is manifested in all his projects. De Ruvo works with a great variety of material, including precious marble, magnets, metals, wood, paper and readymade objects.
The artist uses most of the physical laws in his works, such as gravity, compression, traction and magnetism. A good example is the work “Concinnitas” in which he uses an A4 sized sheet of paper weighing 80 gram to hold up a piece of Carrara marble of the same size, 16000 times heavier than the paper itself, using the proportion of the golden section. This work has been acquired for the permanent collection of the Musma Museum.
The perfect equilibrium or balance, while not belonging to this world, represents its greater aspiration and desire and is the only functionalist means in the attainment of the limit. The most important thing is not the destination, but the journey itself, the only source of knowledge and learning and fuel for spiritual growth. Thus, De Ruvo’s works invite contemplation of both worlds — the physical as well as the metaphysical.