Le ombre 1976

Fausto Melotti's 'Le Ombre' presents us with stark symbols in the theatre of memory: a doll-like figure standing beneath the faint impression of a standing spoon, separated by vertical bars from an unseen space. The figure evokes our most basic recognition of the self and the spoon is a shadow of the nourishment we need. This shadow of a spoon brings to mind the symbols of sustenance found in early religious iconography, such as the cornucopia in Roman art, representing abundance and divine care. Over time, simple tools like spoons evolve into potent symbols, laden with the collective memory of care, need, and the basic human condition. The symbolic weight of the spoon has shifted, yet its essence remains intertwined with our subconscious understanding of dependency and comfort. Melotti's arrangement stirs an emotional response, tapping into our subconscious recognition of mortality and transience. It is a quiet testament to how deeply embedded symbols resonate within us.