Celestial Empire: The Bull of the Third Millennium
Painted in: Beijing (China)
Exhibited at: The 7th Beijing International Art Exhibition, Beijing (China) 1 – 5 Oct. 2004; The 2nd Beijing International Art Biennale, Beijing (China) 20 Sep – 20 Oct 2005; The 14th Guangzhou International Art Exhibition, 2009.
Published in: Chinese Art, page 80; China Magazine, page 87; in the catalogue of The 7th Beijing International Art Exhibition, Beijing (China) 1 – 5 Oct. 2004, page 34.
Author's comment:
Here's the Bull (representing the "Celestial Empire", i.e. China) which, pawing, is trying to reoccupy the role she held at the avant-garde of civilization, particularly between the years zero and 1000.
In less than three decades, i.e. starting from 1978, China (after Mao Zedong's death and the first reforms brought about by Deng Xiaoping), is reoccupying the central role that all world powers, starting from the U.S.A., are recognizing her.According to Chinese people, their country is represented as a chicken (to be "plucked"!), but when they see the Author's interpretation they feel much more proud.
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Comment:
After the historic opening of China to the Western world due to Deng Xiaoping, the country has shown itself increasingly inclined to learn about Western art. Add to this that each of Marco’s paintings arouses great interest, since he places a strong emphasis on the story, almost always a fascinating story, but at the same time alternative. Furthermore, we must also consider the unprecedented chromatic combination and the truly sui generis technique, which differs both from that of contemporary Chinese artists and from that of all foreign painters participating in exhibitions in China.
In this regard, it is necessary to mention a masterpiece by Marco, “Celestial Empire: The Bull of the Third Millennium”, in which China is symbilized by a bull, a sign of power and strength, a manifesto of China’s economic revenge, now back to occupy a primary role in the world economy. (Dr. Sabrina Falzone)
