Untitled VIII. From The Balance Series, 2022

Salvatore Arnone  

Untitled VIII, 2022 by Salvatore Arnone. From the Balance series. Photography and acrylic on paper. Image size: 50 in. H x 35 in. W. Edition of 3 + 1AP. Unframed 

With Balance the artist starts exploring more deeply the boundaries of the photographic media by mixing it with different techniques on a very traditional subject (classic sculptures). Pictures come from the collections of the Archeologic Museum of Naples and the Louvre in Paris.This artwork presents a striking digital manipulation of a classical bust, rendered with a glitch effect that captivates the viewer. The image features a prominent bust of a bearded figure, likely reminiscent of Greco-Roman sculpture, surrounded by a minimalist composition. Bold, horizontal black bars intersect the image, introducing a modern, abstract element that contrasts with the traditional subject, while enhancing the piece’s dynamic tension. The addition of a barcode on the right side introduces an unexpected contemporary twist, hinting at themes of commodification and identity in the digital age. This juxtaposition of classical and modern elements, alongside the vivid cyan and red hues that amplify the glitch effect, creates a visually compelling narrative. It challenges the viewer to reconsider the intersection of history and technology, making the piece both intriguing and thought-provoking.