Gaetano Pesce Art Exhibition at The Peninsula Chicago

Aligning With Expo Chicago, The Peninsula Chicago Announces An Exhibition Celebrating Artist, Architect And Designer Gaetano Pesce Curated by Salon 94 Design

The Peninsula Chicago presents an exclusive art exhibition with works created by impresario artist, architect, and designer Gaetano Pesce. Curated by Salon 94 Design, the exhibition entitled, “What it is to be Human,” aligns with the sixth annual EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, taking place at Navy Pier, September 13 to 17, 2017, and the Chicago Architecture Biennial September 16 to January 7, 2018. The collection is open to the public and displayed in the hotel, September 11 to October 9, 2017.

Gaetano Pesce, Palladio Cabinet, 2007. Photo by Jeff Elstone

With this exhibition, The Peninsula Hotels is continuing its support of innovative public art around the world, by partnering with museums, galleries, and private collectors so guests may enjoy pioneering works by established masters and emerging artists. Each hotel has committed to supporting the arts and art-related Peninsula Academy programs.

The exhibit title explains how Gaetano’s art connects with humanity, showcasing joy in each piece: featuring 20 objects including: Ritratto dell’ Uomo Centento Cabinet, 2016; Palladio Cabinet, 2007; two versions of Rug Wall Lamp, 2017; Friend Lamp, 2014; What it is to be human chandelier, 2012; Lake Table, 2012; Ricordo della Gamba Sinistra (Skin), 2015; Ritratto di quello che non guarda…o almeno così sembra (Skin), 2015; a selection of Tree Vases, 2015-2017; and ‘Donna’ chair 1969, on loan from Luminaire—an armchair and pouf—a metaphor of the female figure and whimsically comes with a ball and chain. All objects are available for purchase.

Gaetano Pesce, Rug Wall Lamps, 2017

Maria Razumich-Zec, Regional Vice President and General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago says, “Known for celebrating thoughtful art within the hotel, it is our honor to display Mr. Pesce’s works that provoke thought, emotion and dialogue.”

“We are extremely grateful for our partnership with The Peninsula Chicago as both our Official Hotel Sponsor and their ongoing commitment to presenting international artworks to the Chicago community,” said EXPO CHICAGO President | Director Tony Karman. “Gaetano Pesce is an internationally respected artist and this is a not-to-be-missed exhibition.”

Expo Chicago 2017 logo

“The work of iconic designer Gaetano Pesce, at The Peninsula Chicago, highlights Salon 94 Design’s focus on radical design. Gaetano’s 50-year career is centered around experimenting with materials and technologies. Featured are his papier-mâche and resin tree vases, recalling the Tuscan landscape of his youth, alongside his explosive sculptural sconces,” said Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, owner of Salon 94 Design.

Born in La Spezia, Italy, in 1939, Pesce studied Architecture at the University of Venice between 1958 to 1963 and was a participant in Gruppo N, an early collective concerned with programmed art patterned after the Bauhaus. He taught architecture at the Institut d’Architecture et d’Etudes Urbaines in Strasbourg, France, for 28 years, and in several cities around the globe including Paris, New York, and Hong Kong.

Chicago Architecture Biennial logo

“For a long time, I have been using a multidisciplinary approach. The great artists of the Italian Renaissance have influenced me tremendously – Alberti, Raffaello, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci. These creative pioneers weren’t satisfied with one medium but sought varied forms of expression. This context and history are vital to how I approach my work. I believe that every idea has its most effective form of expression. Some ideas are better represented through architecture, some painting, others through performance, film, music or poetry,” states Gaetano Pesce

Pesce’s work is featured in more than 30 permanent collections of the most important museums in the world, such as The Museum of Modern Art in New York and San Francisco, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Vitra Museum in Germany, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Pompidou Center and Musee des Arts Décoratifs of Louvre in Paris, as well as exhibitions in galleries worldwide.

His award winning designs include the prestigious Chrysler Award for Innovation and Design in 1993, the Architektur and Wohnen Designer of the Year in 2006 and the Lawrence J. Israel Prize from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in 2009.