Hand Gestures
Francesco Clerici
Italy, 2015, 77’
Languages: Italian
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Languages: Italian
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
The process of creating one of Velasco Vitali’s famous dog sculptures, from wax to glazed bronze, at the Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, in Milan.
The process of creating one of Velasco Vitali’s famous dog sculptures, from wax to glazed bronze, at the Fonderia Artistica Battaglia, in Milan.
SYNOPSIS
Historic Italian sculptor Giacomo Manzù used to say that the sculpture is a hand gesture, a gesture of love. This documentary film follows the process of creating one of Velasco Vitali’s famous dog sculptures, from wax to glazed bronze, at Fonderia Artistica Battaglia (Battaglia Artistic Foundry), in Milan. The film observes the work of a group of skilled artisans in this 100-year old foundry and reveals the ancient traditions of bronze sculpture making, unchanged since the Sixth century B.C. Over the centuries, many technological innovations have come about in art. Yet, even today, in order to create a sculpture in bronze, it is necessary to take the same steps taken in the Sixth century BC for the Riace bronzes. These steps are not taught in school but are passed on in the ancient oral tradition and through apprenticeships from artisans.
CREDITS
Director Francesco Clerici
Screenplay Francesco Clerici, Martina De Santis
Editing Francesco Clerici
Music Claudio Gotti
Producer Francesco Clerici, Velasco Vitali
Production Fonderia Artistica Battaglia
With Marius Costel Simion, Elia Alunni Tullini, Nicolae Ciortan, Mario Conti, Luigi Contino, Ilaria Cuccagna, Lino De Ponti, Tommaso Rossi, Caled Saad, Velasco Vitali
