A FARELLO - Ancient Dreams

In "Ancient Dreams", we encounter a work that does not merely occupy space but seems to forcefully re-emerge from the sediment of time. The sculpture presents itself as a refined exercise in the aesthetics of the fragment, where classicism is not celebrated as static perfection but as a living, pulsating memory.

The work is structured around a powerful material and conceptual contrast:
• The Base (The Dream): The lower part is a tangle of archaeological quotations. The face emerges from raw matter, evoking the composure of Greek gods, yet treated with a deliberate irregularity that makes it resemble a relic just brought to light. It is the "ancient dream," the cultural root serving as foundations.
• The Torso (Reality): From the solidity of rock and myth rises a female body with soft yet firm forms. The passage from base to figure is fluid, almost organic: the woman is not "resting" on history, she is its direct emanation. The choice of leaving the extremities unfinished (the absence of head and limbs) shifts the focus from the "who" to the "what": not a specific person, but the very essence of fertility and timeless beauty.

The choice of terracotta imparts tactile sensuality to the work. The surface is not artificially polished; instead it preserves the traces of the sculptor’s thumb, creating a play of shadows that changes radically depending on ambient lighting. In a modern context, this sculpture serves as an "anchor": it breaks the coldness of minimalist lines with the warmth of terracotta and the depth of history.

"Ancient Dreams" is a silent dialogue between what we once were and what we continue to desire. The author achieves the arduous task of rendering clay as light as a nighttime thought. It is not only a sculpture; it is a bridge between the museum relic and contemporary design, a reminder that beauty, to be modern, must have deep roots.

A piece of rare intensity that, despite its contained dimensions (23 cm), possesses an intrinsic monumentality capable of dominating the surrounding environment.

Antonio Fariello (1993) is a sculptor and stage designer, graduated with top marks and honors from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, with specializations in Sculpture and Plastic Design for scenography. Trained under Maestro Stefano Patti and through notable collaborations (Isabelle Corniere, Laboratorio Corsanini), he has developed a polyhedral profile that unites traditional plastic art with the needs of cinema and theatre scenery. His exhibition activity includes prestigious national venues, including the Permanente in Milan, Palazzo Bastogi in Florence, and Galleria B4 in Bologna. He currently lives and works in Cuneo, continuing his artistic research across monumental sculpture, medallic art, and theatrical scenography.