Cristiano Tassinari, C is for Cherry, Francesca Antonini Gallery, Rome, Italy 

Cristiano Tassinari's installation "C is for Cherry" plays on our expectations of gallery spaces and the objects they contain. Tassinari, born in 1980, creates a dialogue between the traditional and the contemporary. The gallery's stark white walls and polished floors highlight the three distinct elements: a small, framed painting, a neon sculpture, and a plain white book laid flat on the floor. The painting offers a sense of established artistic practice while the neon cherry sculpture suggests a modern, perhaps even commercial, aesthetic. The book, devoid of any immediate narrative, invites contemplation. Tassinari’s work here questions art's role in shaping cultural identity and memory. The use of neon, often associated with consumer culture, juxtaposed with the traditional medium of painting, creates a tension between high and low art. The minimalist setting further emphasizes this contrast, challenging viewers to consider the narratives and values embedded within these visual languages. Together, these elements spark questions about how we construct meaning and value within the cultural landscape.