Andrea Cagnetti - Akelo
Encyclopedia
Andrea Cagnetti, also known in the artistic world as Akelo (Corchiano
– Viterbo
, 16 March 1967) is an Italian goldsmith
, designer
, and sculptor. He is known for dedicating himself to the research of the ancient techniques used in metalworking.
State secondary school with a concentration in scientific studies, Akelo transferred to Rome
, where for several years he worked as a graphic artist while continuing to pursue his in-depth studies of texts and documents relating to ancient goldsmithing, metallurgy
, and alchemy
.
Combining this theoretical understanding with extensive experimentation on materials and techniques, the artist now entirely devotes himself to creating gold objects and to making sculptural objects out of gold, bronze, and iron, using the artistic name of Akelo (from Achelous
, Greek god of the waters).
In 2010 the artist created the bronze sculpture "Hope" for the Robert Bresson Prize
given every years at the Venice Film Festival
.
The works of Andrea Cagnetti have been exhibited in many national and international exhibitions, and have caused a sensation in the media throughout the world. In fact, numerous publications, reviews and television appearances have been dedicated to him, which highlight not only his talent and his stylistic originality, but also the value of his research.
In the last few years, some of his pieces have been acquired by important museums and private collections.
Andrea Cagnetti lives in Corchiano
, where he also writes scientific articles on the techniques used in ancient goldsmith.
Corchiano
Corchiano is a town and comune in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy. It was an ancient settlement of the Faliscans and, in the Renaissance and later, a fief of the Farnese family.The local produce is hazelnuts and wine...
– Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
, 16 March 1967) is an Italian goldsmith
Goldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
, designer
Designer
A designer is a person who designs. More formally, a designer is an agent that "specifies the structural properties of a design object". In practice, anyone who creates tangible or intangible objects, such as consumer products, processes, laws, games and graphics, is referred to as a...
, and sculptor. He is known for dedicating himself to the research of the ancient techniques used in metalworking.
Biography
After having obtained a diploma at the RonciglioneRonciglione
Ronciglione is a city and comune in the province of Viterbo, Lazio , c. 20 km from Viterbo. The city is located in the Cimini mountains, over two tuff scarps, on the SE slope of the former volcano crater now housing the Vico's Lake....
State secondary school with a concentration in scientific studies, Akelo transferred to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, where for several years he worked as a graphic artist while continuing to pursue his in-depth studies of texts and documents relating to ancient goldsmithing, metallurgy
Metallurgy
Metallurgy is a domain of materials science that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their intermetallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. It is also the technology of metals: the way in which science is applied to their practical use...
, and alchemy
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
.
Combining this theoretical understanding with extensive experimentation on materials and techniques, the artist now entirely devotes himself to creating gold objects and to making sculptural objects out of gold, bronze, and iron, using the artistic name of Akelo (from Achelous
Achelous
In Greek mythology, Achelous was the patron deity of the "silver-swirling" Achelous River, which is the largest river of Greece, and thus the chief of all river deities, every river having its own river spirit. His name is pre-Greek, its meaning unknown...
, Greek god of the waters).
In 2010 the artist created the bronze sculpture "Hope" for the Robert Bresson Prize
Robert Bresson Prize
The Robert Bresson Prize is a recognition offered during the Venice Film Festival to the director who, according to the Pontifical Council of Culture and of Social Communications of the Vatican: “Has given a testimony, significant for sincerity and intensity, of the difficult passage in search of...
given every years at the Venice Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
.
The works of Andrea Cagnetti have been exhibited in many national and international exhibitions, and have caused a sensation in the media throughout the world. In fact, numerous publications, reviews and television appearances have been dedicated to him, which highlight not only his talent and his stylistic originality, but also the value of his research.
In the last few years, some of his pieces have been acquired by important museums and private collections.
Andrea Cagnetti lives in Corchiano
Corchiano
Corchiano is a town and comune in the province of Viterbo, Lazio, Italy. It was an ancient settlement of the Faliscans and, in the Renaissance and later, a fief of the Farnese family.The local produce is hazelnuts and wine...
, where he also writes scientific articles on the techniques used in ancient goldsmith.
Works in Public Collections
- HOEDUS II (1996) Pendant - Newark Museum
- YILDUN (2001) Pendant - Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri
- CHORT (2002) Pendant - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/-chort-eight-arm-cross-pendant-with-an-agnus-dei-image-512425
- DENHEB (2004) Necklace - Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri
- SEGIN (2009) Pyx - Museum of Fine Arts, Boston http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/-segin-dolphin-box-532853
- STRANGE MECHANISM #3 (2010) Sculpture - Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri