Ninni Pagano (1969) - Anima D'Acrocoro

Biography of Ninni Pagano

Born in Catania in 1969, Ninni Pagano initially pursues scientific studies, a background that will influence the precision and structure of his future works. His entry into the world of art occurs through attending the studio of master Antonio Sciacca, with whom he shares a vision of art as a bridge between different eras.

The Poetics: "The Cabinet of Wonders"
Pagano's research is closely linked to the concept of Wunderkammer (Cabinet of Wonders). His works are often conceived as mental spaces where the following merge:

Classicism and Pop: Elements of Greek and Renaissance statuary are reinterpreted with solid colors and contemporary symbolisms.
Alchemy and Philosophy: The artist probes the enigma of existence through dreamlike figures (such as his famous "Swan Women") and hermetic references.
Matter: He uses mixed powders to achieve a chromatic compactness that gives the canvases a quasi-sculptural dimension.

Achievements and Recognitions
Although his exhibition career fully took off around 2011, he quickly achieved internationally notable milestones:
Venice Biennale: He exhibited at the 56th edition (2015) within the show "Grazie Italia" at the Guatemala Pavilion.
Rome Triennale: Participation in the Visual Arts Triennale Exhibition in 2014.
Publications: His work is included in Mondadori's Catalogo d'Arte Moderna (CAM) and in the De Agostini Atlas of Contemporary Art.

International Presence: His works have been exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Altes Dampfbad Museum in Baden-Baden, Germany, and at Art Market in Budapest.
In addition to being a painter and sculptor, Pagano is an expert connoisseur of antiquarian art. This passion is reflected in the way he "restores" the past, not to copy it, but to transform it into a grotesque and fascinating language that speaks of the contradictions of modern man.

Anima D' Acrocoro
The Concept of "Acrocoro": Geometry and Solitude

An acrocoro is a vast, steep, and rugged plateau, isolated from the surrounding territory. Applied to this work, the term takes on a strong metaphorical significance:

Visual Height: The figure features an oversized, raised neck, surrounded by golden metallic rings that act as a true tower or pillar. The head of the woman represents the “summit” of this plateau.
Sacred Isolation: Just as an acrocoro rises above common land, the female figure appears distant, inaccessible, and immersed in contemplative solitude. It is an entity that dominates from above, separated from ordinary reality.
Magical Realism between Flesh and Metal
Pagano's work fully sits within the current of Magical Realism, integrating surrealist suggestions and steampunk details.

Key Themes of the Work
Material and Chromatic Contrast:
The porcelain delicacy of the complexion (with rosy cheeks and scarlet lips) starkly contrasts with the hardness and heaviness of the rings around the neck and the aviator/retro-futurist-inspired goggles.

Symbolism of the Sea and the Air:
Despite the idea of the plateau ("acrocoro"), the presence of the golden starfish on the cap and the deep cobalt blue background connect the figure to the aquatic element. There is an intentional short circuit: a creature that synthesizes air (the flight goggles), earth/rock (the acrocoro/neck), and sea (the starfish and chromatic abyss).

Temporal Suspension:
The combination of ancient ethnic jewelry (the neck rings echo Padauk/Kayan traditions) and mechanical-fantastical accessories places the figure out of time: it does not belong to the past nor the future, but to a mythical present.

Interpretative Synthesis of "Anima d'Acrocoro"
"Anima d'Acrocoro" describes the spirit of a creature elevated and inaccessible. It represents the sublimation of feminine beauty which, though coated with heavy ornaments and metallic constraints, manages to rise upward with a proud elegance and a gaze turned toward infinity.

Instagram:@ninnipagano