Livio De Marchi : biography
Livio De Marchi was born in Venice where, still a child,
he worked on ornamental sculpture in the Venetian tradition in the workshop of a
craftsman and in the meantime he studied art and drawing at the "Accademia di
Belle Arti" in Venice. His activity starts there, displaying at once an
astounding skill in moulding materials, transforming them with wit and panache
and creating sculptures with perfection of detail, spontaneity and essense.
During his artistic evolution he worked first in marble, then bronze, and
eventually in wood. However wood has always been his favourite material because
it affords him a vitality which other materials do not.
Since opening his own studio, Livio De Marchi has allowed his fantasy to take
wing, declaring his way of being, his interior world. After a deep inner
evolution, his ironical ability to "see" life got the upper hand, letting him
carve his own, unique sculpture. His artworks have been shown in cities all over
the world including Milan, Florence, London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Zürich, New
York, Los Angeles, San Fancisco and Tokyo.
His artworks have been acclaimed in several magazines such as "Interior Design",
"Capital", "Casa Vogue", "Madame Figaro", "Vogue", "Hauser", "Decoration", and
so on.
Furthermore his works have been the subject of many television features in
several foreign countries.
In 1985, continuing his activity as a sculptor, Livio De Marchi created an
enormous paper hat in wood in the Japanese Origami style.
In 1986 a gigantic floating woman's shoe, saw the light of day.
In 1987 he carved, again following the tradition of Origami, a dove of peace
which stands alongside the paper hat in the Central Park in Himeji (Japan) as a
monument. In the same year the Kunsthalle Museum in Emden (Germany) acquired a
big pot with brushes - "Flowers of the Artist". At Kimihiro Fujii's Gallery Hiro
in Tokyo there was a personal show. In 1988 he realized a floating lifesize 1937
Jaguar, sculptured in wood.
The Carsch House in Düsseldorf (Germany) organized a personal show of Livio De
Marchi.
In 1989 he carved la lifesize Fiat Topolino mod. A. The Jelmoli company in
Zürich organized a personal show dedicated to him. In 1990, he created the
"House of Books". It is in S. Anna - Tambre D'Alpago (BL) Italy. It has already
achieved worldwide fame. In 1991 the Jelmoli company organized another show for
him in Zürich. In 1993 Dutch Television ( Tros ) made a special documentary
about him.
Ripley's American Museum in S. Augustine - Florida negotiated the "Fiat
Topolino" and the floating "1937 Jaguar". The museum of art in Muskegon -
Michigan (U.S.A.) purchased a big pot of brushes to put on display in the museum.
Livio De Marchi carried out the "House of Books n. 2" in Germany - Bergneustadt
(between Frankfurt and Köln) for a private collection.
In 1994 his fantasy took flight again and he realized a floating work of art
with the title "a dream in Venice": a huge pumpkin drawn by 4 horses, which rear
up when the driver pulls the reins. The pumpkin can accomodate 4 people. It was
one of the jewels of Carnival 1994. After a few months the museum "Ripley's
Believe it or not!" obtained this piece, too for its collection. In October
1994, he constructed his "House of Books n. 3" in Japan,. It is at the Pension
Costa del Sol on the peninsula of Izu, in front of the Pacific Ocean. Livio De
Marchi intends to execute 10 of his "House of Books" creations all around the
world.
For Carnival 1995 he carved an 8 metre high vase with 12 flowers (4 roses, 4
tulips, 4 daisies). It was anchored near the Dogana on the Grand Canal. In
Spring 1995 Angelika Obermüller organized a personal show in Munich in her
Gallerie + Tee. In June 1995 he showed his artworks in a personal exhibition in
Austria in a wonderful old castle in Frohnleiten.
From March 30th to May 4th 1996 there was a Personal exhibition c/o Galerie
Lieve Hemel in Amsterdam.
In February 1997 he created a floating wooden motor car "Mercedes Seagull",and
it was shown at the Art fair KunstRAI and there was another personal exhibition
at the Galerie Lieve Hemel in May-July.
In Febuary 1999 he created a floating wooden car “Volkswagen Beetle”,and it was
shown at the Art fair Kunst RAI in June 1999 and in June-July 1999 a personal
exhibition was shown at the Galerie Lieve Hemel.
In November 1999, 2000 his works were shown at SOFA Chicago c/o Mostly Glass
Gallery. In 2000 the exhibition “IL LEGNO IN VETRO”was shown at the gallery
Pauly S.Marco Venice. In 2000 he created a floating wooden Ferrari F50. In 2001
the Ferrari e another large works were shown in Palm Springs California and Tuor
USA c/o Mostly Glass Gallery. In 2003 from 14th June to 20th July the
fifth personal exhibition is holding at Galerie Lieve Hemel in Amsterdam.
In