Latin America: The General U$ed
Exhibited at: The 6th Beijing International Art Exposition 2003; The 8th Guangzhou International Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, 2003; The 11th China Art Exhibition, China Millennium Monument, Beijing, 2004; The 7th Beijing International Art Exhibition, Beijing, 2004; The 9th Guangzhou International Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, 2004.
Published in: La Chine au présent (French language edition of China Today magazine) 42^ year, n. 4, April 2004 (pages 51, 52, 53 with interview with Director Hu Chunhua and Canadian journalist Louise Cadieux); Chinese Art, page 79; China Magazine Arts, page 87; Famous People in Beijing , page 20; in the catalogue of The 6th Beijing International Art Exposition 2003, pag. 30; in the catalogue of The 8th Guangzhou International Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, 2003, page 89; in the catalogue of China Art Exposition 2004 (pages 110-111 with extensive commentary in Chinese and English); in the catalogue of The 9th Guangzhou International Art Exhibition, Guangzhou, 2004; in Guangzhou Daily, December 17, 2004, page 2 (next to "The General Used" and "Celebrative Erection". Looking at these works, seen from behind, are the Italian Consul in Guangzhou and, on the right, the author).
Author's comment:
Latin America is here represented as a General because there have always been revolutions and coups d'Etat usually supported, if not instigated, by the USA (a country that, nevertheless, I do love): for this reason Central America is here depicted as a machine gun shooting "bullets" filled with U.S.$.
The blood staining all Latin America (including Cuba and the Falkland Islands) shows that the Author is not influenced by any ideology. Marco's Golden Rule, in fact, is: "Treat Others As You Would Like To Be Treated".
The General
Although he exercises an attraction due not only to the mystery surrounding the Author’s works, but also to the energy of the painting itself (perfectly concealed by a look that, to a neophyte, could appear irreparably attracted by infinity, by nothingness), it is better not to see The General! Better not to know him! Better… if he had never been painted!
By ignoring people’s presence, by appearing as unapproachable as the most divine Diva, the Supreme Commander obtains the opposite effect: he captures the greater attention needed to a deeper reading.
As a result, it is noticed that, besides disdaining other people’s look, he keeps his lips firmly tightened. The only open mouth you can see, in fact, is the one shooting “shells” full of U$ dollars the use of which is not meant to satisfy the needs of Latin America in general, but only those of the Generals of Latin America!
With such a stiff face, The General U$ed, who has abU$ed of Latin America, seems bewitched by the avidity of Absolute Power. A face so repulsive and frowning at people (as if he were angry at everybody, even at you!) it’s better not to see! Better to stay away from him!
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"Marco had a taste of fame with the presentation of a unique work entitled “Latin America: The General U$ed”, which deals with the destruction of war, dressing that cutting controversy in sharp irony. It provokes people to reflect on the geo-political and economic interests that give rise to war and even though the piece dates back to the Eighties, the canvas is extremely current and relevant today". (Dr. Sabrina Falzone)
