Emilio Cavallini “Transfiguration”

Rosai Ugolini Modern presents “Transfiguration”, artist Emilio Cavallini’s first solo show in New York, and the inauguration of the gallery’s new space in the heart of the Lower East Side. The retrospective exhibition examines Cavallini’s work in a career spanning over four decades.

Cavallini’s creative vision was lent to the fashion world during his extensive and prolific tenure as founder and creative engine behind Stilnovo, a fashion house that would revolutionize the textile industry. With his discovery of ground-breaking technology in the production of thread, Cavallini’s creative expression was given free reign. Beginning in the early 70’s and running parallel to his experimental journey in the fashion world, was an ever-present artistic quest driving him towards the root of the pure creative process.

The son of an era characterized by unlimited experimentation, Cavallini’s formal work was influenced by op and kinetic art, spatialism, and abstract constructivism. Thread, the focal point of his artistic expression, is a medium that serves as a continuous conduit in his investigation into the harmony of chaos theory. Related textile materials such as yarn tubes are utilized to create fractals, abstract diagrams and bifurcations.

Through precise mathematical calculations, permutations, and repetition-variation processes, Cavallini weaves thread into a delicate matrix of color, depth and volume. Within the repetition, a rhythm is created that highlights an affinity with musical forms. The repetition process guarantees unity, yet also allows for the most complex elaborations. Thus in Cavallini’s work, we are struck by countless color variations and expansive structures based on motifs such as the circle, square or hexagon; the surfaces of which pulse with the innate tension of the thread strung into intricate patterns of architectural relief.

“Transfiguration” will feature an encompassing selection of works dating from the early 80’s to the present, many of which will be publicly exhibited for the first time.

Emilio Cavallini (San Miniato, 1945) is a renowned artist and designer whose forty-year contribution to the fashion world includes singular creations for the houses of Mary Quant, Dior, Celine, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and Gucci. His eponymous label is exported worldwide, from New York to London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo and beyond. In 1989 he was awarded Venice’s Leone d’Oro for creativity and innovation. His artistic and industrial contributions were recognized in the last decade by Italy’s Prime Minister and President with several national honors including “Knight of Industry”, “Officer of the Republic” and “Commendatore”. An artist’s book published by Skira was released in 2010 to celebrate three decades of his art practice. Cavallini’s work was presented in a solo exhibition at the 2011 Triennale of Milan, during which he constructed a site specific, four-meter cube of stocking thread. His work has been the subject of critical texts by Sergio Risaliti, Laura Cherubini, Silvia Pegoraro, among others. Upcoming in the fall are solo exhibitions at Opera Gallery, Paris, and Galleria Valmore, Vicenza