Franco Costalonga, born in Venice in 1933, embarked on his artistic journey as a self-taught individual, later attending the local School of Art as a private student under the guidance of Remigio Butera. His early career was marked by his work as an engraver and etcher, a field in which he achieved notable success, including winning the first prize at the 50th Collective of the Bevilacqua La Masa Foundation in Venice. This initial success laid the groundwork for his transition to painting, where he developed a vast series of works characterized by subtle chromatic modulations, focusing on scales of reds and pinks. These works were distinguished by their free and aerial expression, incorporating elegant graphisms influenced by Lycinian and Wolsian matrices. In the second half of the 1960s, Costalonga's artistic exploration led him to the realms of "cylinders" and "chromokinetic objects," which became the focal points of his artistic inquiry and the objects most sought after by collectors. Despite the constant demand for his works, the prices for Costalonga's pieces have seen a steady increase over the years, though they have not reached high values, primarily due to the preponderance of a strictly local market. This market dynamic is somewhat regrettable given the genius and pleasantness of his works. For comparison, cylinders measuring 30x30 cm were sold at prices just under €2,000, while chromokinetic objects of 50x50 cm fetched similar figures as of December 2021. Costalonga's contributions to the art world were not limited to his individual creations. He was an active participant in national and international exhibitions, including the XI Quadriennale in Rome in 1966 and the traveling exhibition of The Arts Council of Great Britain in Venice the same year. His works were also recognized in the field of furniture and design, where he received numerous awards. One of his notable innovations was the conception of a small cylinder, the top of which was cut at a 45° angle and colored. These elements, either as single units or assembled into modules of sixty-four, gave life to geometric representations that changed in chromatic intensity based on the viewer's interaction with the work. Costalonga's theoretical and practical explorations extended to the development of "Helical structures" and "Structures on symmetry movements" in the 1970s, conceived as sets of flexible or rigid plastic components combined in a geometric texture with an upward orientation. His engagement with new materials led to the creation of original tensioned surfaces, generating three-dimensional shapes that further expanded his artistic vocabulary. Throughout his career, Costalonga was deeply involved with the Programmed or Kinetic Art movement, an international art movement that left an indelible mark on the art world. His work was characterized by a continuous experimentation with form, color, and movement, seeking to engage the viewer in a dynamic interaction with the artwork. This approach was exemplified in his "Painting objects on brightness gradients," which expanded the field of application of chromatic research and underscored the theoretical relevance of color in his work. Franco Costalonga's legacy is marked by his innovative contributions to Op and Kinetic Art, his exploration of color and form, and his ability to engage viewers in a participatory experience with his art. His works are part of prestigious collections, including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and have been exhibited in significant venues such as the National Museum of Modern Art in Prague and the Guggenheim Collections in Venice. Costalonga passed away on June 19, 2019, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

Franco Costalonga Quotes and Sales of Works

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