Angels and Demons September 26 2013

New Smyrna Beach, FL –– Arts on Douglas will present Angels and Demons, a solo exhibition featuring the sophisticated abstract paintings of Orlando based artist, Giuseppe Corazzina. The exhibition will be on view from October 5, 2013 through October 26, 2013 with an opening reception on Saturday, October 5 from 4-7 pm, and an artist talk on Friday, October 18 at 11am. Both events are free and open to the public.

Angels and Demons is Giuseppe Corazzina's third solo exhibition at Arts on Douglas. The show features Corazzina’s most current body of large and small scale abstract paintings that explore his personal symbolism used to refer to the sacred realm. Corazzina explains: “While creating this new collection, I was intrigued to face a fascinating, and mysterious theme, which involved entering a world of emotions and sensations. I was guided by two relatively simple questions regarding angels and demons: Who are they, and what do they symbolize?"

Angels and demons are common figures and symbols found in many religious traditions, folk tales, artifacts, and popular culture. These figures often adhere to a strict division between good and evil forces; however, this dualism was not always so strictly defined in antiquity. Indeed, the word "angel" in Greek angelos, meaning "messenger," and the Greek word daimon, meaning "spirit guide" were used interchangeably. It was thought that everyone possessed a personal daimon, angel, or messenger. These messengers acted as intermediaries between humanity and the divine, uniting two separate dimensions of being into a new whole. Because these messengers bring messages from afar or beyond, from the realms where consciousness may not go, they can be both frightening and tempting at the same time.

For Corazzina, art is a synthesis of opposing modes of being. While creating this collection of paintings, the artist explains "I discovered inside myself the presence of lots of angels, but also more than just a few demons." Conscious of this experience of being, painting becomes a process of renewal and discovery, driving him to fervently research techniques, concepts, and themes from art history, and to experiment with color and abstract form. Corazzina's use of vibrant blocks of color in various intensities and his evenly paced brushwork provide evidence of his training in classical painting techniques. While his paintings are largely abstract representations of the imagination, recognizable objects do emerge.

Giuseppe Corazzina was born in Padua, Italy. He holds a PhD from Teacher College, Venice, Italy, a MFA from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, Italy, a BA in fine arts from the State Art Institute in Padua, Italy, and restoration certification from Ca’d’oro, Venice Italy. He is skilled in the use of acrylic, oil, tempera, watercolor, as well as mosaic, encaustic and fresco painting. He has taught studio arts courses and fresco workshops at Cornell Museum, Crealdé School of Art, University of Central Florida, Rollins College, and Seminole State University. He has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and Europe. Corazzina’s work is included in the permanent collections of the St. Antonio Cathedral in Padua, Italy, Albignasego Church, Museo San Teodoro in Rome, the Church of Malawi in Africa, and the University of Central Florida.

In addition to the month long exhibition, Arts on Douglas will hold an Artist Talk with Giuseppe Corazzina on Friday, October 18 at 11am.

The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public.