Umberto Cavenago was born in Milan in 1959 where he lives and works. Architectural studies and the direct contact with matter in craft-work have been key elements in his education, leading him also to use mechanical carpentry tools. His technique, which follows a careful and expert design, is expressed as much in the result itself as in the aesthetic form. His work also implies physical sensation stimulating, sometimes violently, the reaction of the viewer as a necessity to reactivate an interrupted communication. Umberto Cavenago’s interventions also concern the urban environment or the constructed buildings, going utopically and ironically to correct, modify or move parts of the landscape, that are in fact stable.

Umberto Cavenago has been shown his work in personal exhibitions in institutions, such as: Ridotto del Teatro Manzoni, Monza (2001), National Gallery of Modern Art, Rome (1996), Oratorio di S. Sebastiano, Forlì (1989). Among the group projects: Center of Contemporary Art – Castello di Rivara, Turin (2014), Museum of Contemporary Art Villa Croce, Genoa (2012), Villa d’Este, Tivoli (2006), The Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum, Gladstone WA (2004), Padiglione d’Arte Contemporanea, Milan (1999), Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Udine (1998), La Triennale, Milan (1997), Centro Luigi Pecci, Prato (1994), Pittsburgh Center of the Arts, Pittsburgh (1992), Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid (1990).

Umberto Cavenago also took part in: Rome Quadrenniale and Sao Paulo Biennial (1996), Johannesburg Biennial (1995), Venice Bienniale (1990). His collaboration with Galleria Fumagalli began in 2003 with the exhibition “Cavenago-Milan East 10 minutes”, presenting a single large site-specific work: “Cams II Superfetation” literally invading the lower floor of the gallery with a “Parasite functional” that ran through the entire ceiling and oak logs equipped with a “Creative Fremito” on the ground. In 2006 the gallery published a volume on Umberto Cavenago’s work, documenting his artistic career from the beginning to the most recent works.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

UMBERTO CAVENAGO
Milano est 10 minuti

Opening 24 May 2003
27 May to 31 July 2003

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GROUP EXHIBITIONS

AAVV:30

Opening 27 November 2004
30 November 2004 to 20 January 2005

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