Venice Biennale 2024 | Embrace Phy Version

CESARE CATANIA
at the 60th International Art Exhibition in Venice

Title of the ArtWork
"The Embrace Phy Version"

... a Sculpture born in the Physical World and amplified in the Digital World ...

VIDEO TUTORIAL

THE PROJECT TOLD AND EXPLAINED BY THE ARTIST CESARE CATANIA

Enter the video below and discover the project presented at the 2024 Biennale of Venice told directly by Cesare Catania.

from 20 April to 24 November 2024 inside the National Pavilion of Cameroon the sculpture entitled “The Phy Version Embrace”, a work of art that is both physical and digital

“I decided to bring the sculpture of the Embrace closer to the digital world to give everyone the opportunity to live a unique experience. When you find yourself in front of a Phygital sculpture you know what you see but you don’t yet know what you expect… Framing sculpture, the visitor can completely immerse himself in the artistic world of the work of art. Hence the idea of creating not only an immersive reality linked to the work itself but also an artistic space that gives anyone the opportunity to literally play with the art he is experiencing, to create his own sculpture following his own tastes and feelings. Art is not only observed, not only felt… art is experienced…”

(Cesare Catania)

Contemporary art

A jump into the Phygital World

“Experiencing a work of art in Augmented Reality allows the artist to blend together static contemporary art and kinetic art, where the latter no longer requires all the limitations given by the physical world. Kinetic art in this way is not more the point of arrival of artistic production but becomes the starting point on which to found a project that first of all wants to be emotional…”

(Cesare Catania)

What can you do?

1 - Now that you have scanned the QR code, stand in front of the Opera

2 - Enter Augmented Reality below

3 - Point your phone downwards and
wait a few seconds while the animation loads

4 - Now point your mobile phone towards the sculpture "The Embrace" and zoom in or zoom out with two fingers if you want to zoom in, out or move the animations

5 - Record a video, share it and tag the artist

Now you are ready to enter the Phygital World!

Discover the Embrace in Augmented Reality! Frame the physical work and travel with your imagination!

… man is born with fantasy and imagination. Rationality is a component that takes over in a second phase… You too can go back to being a child and discover the fantastic world of the Phygital Embrace in Augmented Reality!

Sculpture for Everyone

“… each of us deep down in our hearts dreams of being an artist…” (Cesare Catania)

With this software you can unleash your imagination and create a unique work of art that you can share with your friends. Play with us and have fun!

What can you do?

1 - Enter the Digital Sculpture section below

2 - Select the parts you want to sculpt one at a time

3 - Choose the material you like best

4 - Export the digital sculpture and receive it via email in full HD

5 - Share with friends and tag the artist

Now you are ready to sculpt your Embrace!

Sculpt your Embrace and share it with your friends!

… become a sculptor too and create your own Digital Embrace, set it in the world you would like, export the digital work of art you created and signed in Full HD and share it!

Play with Art

“Contemporary art must not only be aimed at mere aesthetic satisfaction but must also be a means of communicating, of bringing people together. Playing with art makes the process of approaching art more natural. Digital art and kinetic art increase the perception of reality and therefore become the most natural way to experience art rather than passively suffer it.”

(Cesare Catania)

Democratic art

Art for Everyone

"The Embrace"

Collective Version

With this software, every art lover can create his own unique version of the “Embrace” and thus export the digital version co-signed together with the sculptor Cesare Catania in Full HD.

“…For me it is important to know that each of you has created your own “Embrace” and has in some way contributed to supporting the idea of a Democratic Art, of an art that is not only admired but which makes everyone protagonist of us: the Artist to the extent that he creates the main work, the art lover to the extent that he not only appreciates it but even contributes to creating a Unique Version of it. Art must be for everyone… “

(Cesare Catania)

The software backgrounds were found on the web from free copyright image portals.

“With this choice I wanted to reward young talents who produce photographic art and possibly use artificial intelligence only for light photo editing. Imagination today belongs to man…”

(Cesare Catania)

the “Manifesto of Democratic Art”

From Art to Artistic Movement

The project for the Venice Biennale led the artist to draw up the First Manifesto of Democratic Art in History. Below is the evolution of his artistic poetics in relation to the writing of an Artistic Manifesto.

The path that leads the Italian artist to conceive the Manifesto of Democratic Art starts in 2015, when he creates “ReArt“, his first work of art created from urban waste. On this occasion Catania understands the importance that art can have in promoting sustainability.

In 2015 and 2016, Cesare Catania created the first two versions of “L’Abbraccio”, very famous pictorial works that will give rise to a real collection, as well as the “Embrace Project“, an artistic and socio-cultural project which enhances closeness between people. In this case, art goes from the ultimate goal aimed at by the artist to a means of doing good in an ethical manner.

The path that led the Italian artist to conceive the Manifesto of Democratic Art continues in 2017, when he created the first work of art for people suffering from Dalton Syndrome (“The Mouth of Etna E Version“). On that occasion he understood that art could be the means through which to overcome cultural barriers and represent minorities.

In 2020, with the advent of NFT, Catania suffered the difference between its universal possession of an art opera and its unique ownership. Pioneer of digital art on web3, the Italian artist creates his artistic percorso in the traditional world in what digital world, to found himself in a unique phygital world with high social and democratic impact with the project for the Biennale di Venezia 2024.

This is the cultural and artistic background that leads Cesare Catania to write the first Manifesto of Democratic Art.

Cultural insight

The Embrace in the Real World

See how the Embrace sculpture looks in the real world.

Everything about the inspirations that led the artist to create a sculpture that represents the embrace in all its dynamic and emotional charge.

Social Background

The Embrace Project

“An embrace is worth more than 1000 words…
there are no cold or warm embraces, there are no real or false embraces, there are no embraces of
war or peace…. The embrace is universal. When two people embrace each other,
within whatever culture they do it, they only want to express one thing: love.
Regardless of their age, the color of their skin and their cultural differences.”

(Cesare Catania)

2023 Unique World Ambassador for National Hugging Day

Cesare Catania – nominated for 2023 as the only Ambassador in the world of the
National Hugging Day (celebrated on January 21st starting from 1986, the year of its
creation) – is convinced that art can be the means through which to do good. Therefore, art is no longer the ultimate goal pursued by the artist but rather the means for a project that acts as a social glue, breaking down the barriers of discrimination in general.

Art as a means to do good in an ethical way

“The Embrace Project is an artistic project with a socio-cultural matrix that tends to do good through art. Therefore art is no longer the ultimate goal towards which the work of an artist tends, but rather it is a means towards a superior ultimate goal is achieved, which is precisely to do good in an ethical manner”

(Cesare Catania – Rai interview excerpt)

Cultural Background

The Embrace at the Cinema

“…conceiving a film as a work of art means creating a series of scenes letting yourself be carried away by emotions. The filters of conventional language leave room for a more direct means of communication, which enters people’s hearts completely. And the more harmonious this way of creating is, the more democratic this means of communication becomes…“

(Cesare Catania)

The Cinematographic Work of Art: an Extreme Take on Kinetic Art

During the days preceding the installation of the Phygital sculpture “L’Abbraccio” Phy Version, Cesare Catania decides to dedicate his creative talent to cinema, creating and directing a 15-minute artistic documentary called “The Imagination of a Child”. It is a short film, mainly in black and white, which describes the evolution of an artist’s feelings in his personal growth. The documentary also becomes the material on which to shape one’s ideas of overcoming social and cultural barriers, making it fully included both among his works of democratic art and among the works of the “Embraces” collection, even though in this case it is not a question of a painting, neither a sculpture nor a digital work of art. In this the Italian sculptor conceives cinematographic art as an extreme of kinetic art.

Official Trailer of
"The Imagination of a Child"

…a short documentary that explains the evolution of an artist in his creative process and his artistic maturation. A short film where the explanation of how an artist processes his emotions and sensations becomes, among other things, the pretext for the diffusion of a higher social message linked to inclusiveness and overcoming cultural barriers…

Cesare Catania

Cesare Catania is an Italian artist. Painter, sculptor and digital artist, he began his successful career some time ago, fusing tradition and innovation in his art. His creative skills and aesthetic taste enthusiastically embrace technology and development towards the future. In his works of art the boundaries between painting, sculpture and digital art blur, always maintaining a firm attachment to his contemporary art.
After more than a decade of international success as a traditional artist, he has recently amazed critics with his ability to take on the role of a digital artist.
Fascinated by modern art, architecture, cubism and the pictorial masters of the classical age, Cesare Catania’s artistic maturity is still evolving today; always looking for new techniques to best express his inspirations.

Click here and find out more about the artist Cesare Catania:

Cultural Insights

The First
Embrace: The A Version

Two people hugging each other express love and affection together. On the left a statuesque and confident figure; on the right the representation of a sincere and passionate figure. The firmness on the left of the painting and the dedication in the character on the right are perfectly represented by the mutual positions of the bodies and hands. Hospitality and protection are the characteristics of this first version of what will be an artistic trend of the Italian painter Cesare Catania.

The Child that is in each of us

“it feels like being a child again… and in fact it is exactly like that… immediate, natural, expressive… For me the wax crayon is that expressive medium which often more than others leaves the child within free in us…”

(Cesare Catania)

The Complete Embraces Collection

From 2015 to today Cesare Catania has created a complete collection of “Abbracci”. The expressive means range from wax crayon to oil on canvas, from traditional sculpture to abstract art up to digital art. When we talk about hugs we immediately think of love, of human warmth. Cesare Catania’s “Abbracci” convey exactly these sensations and feelings

Immaginazione di Un Bambino — "The Embraces"

“The Imagination of a Child”

"The Embraces"

Artistic Sketch – “The Embrace” (F Version)

"The Embraces"

Ninetyeight – “The Embrace (G Version)”

Abbraccio E Version — "The Embraces"

Artwork 90 – The Embrace (E Version)

L'Abbraccio F Version Front — "The Embraces"

Artwork 91 – The Embrace (F Version)

"The Embraces"

EightyEight and EightyNine – “The Embrace” (C and D Version)

The Embrace B — "The Embraces"

Forty-Eight – “The Embrace (B Version)”

"The Embraces"

Seventeen – “Embrace” A Version

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Venice60th International Art Exhibition

“AN EMBRACE FOR ALL”

The artist Cesare Catania - among the official voices of the Pavilion of the Republic of Cameroon - presents the Phygital version, physical and digital together, of the sculpture "L'Abbraccio" in Venice

“Collectiveversion” of a single large sculpture intended for everyone, software created specifically for the involvement of the public and “Art for Everyone”. This is how Cesare Catania debuts at the 2024 Venice Art Biennale

The 60th International Art Exhibition, curated by Adriano Pedrosa, is preparing for
pre-opening event from 17 to 19 April, revealing a world preview to the employees of the
creations and projects sector that the general public will be able to admire in Venice from Saturday 20th
April to Sunday 24 November 2024.
Right in the Lagoon, to welcome for this edition the Pavilion of the Republic of
Cameroon there will be the Dona’ dalle Rose Foundation with the historic Palace of the same name, in which
the Phygital version of the signed Embrace sculpture will be exhibited in the garden
by the artist Cesare Catania.

TIMELESS SCULPTURE

It is a sculpture, the physical one (F Version), which has an artistic history behind it
important, with recent exhibitions at the Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan and at the Biennale of
Poetry among the Arts of Piacenza. Defined by the press as a “timeless” sculpture, for him
contemporary character and for the social message it transmits, The Embrace is a work
which speaks of closeness and brotherhood, inspired by a message of peace and sharing,
according to the principle of a democratic art without ideological barriers and without borders
geographical, capable of being enjoyed everywhere and by everyone, against any type of prejudice
and discrimination.
“An embrace is worth more than 1000 words…
there are no cold or warm embraces, there are no real or false embraces, there are no embraces of
war or peace…. The embrace is universal. When two people embrace each other,
within whatever culture they do it, they only want to express one thing: love.
Regardless of their age, the color of their skin and their cultural differences.“Cesare Catania explains.

PHYSICAL WORLD AND DIGITAL WORLD

The physical sculpture on display, almost 3 meters high, and of which the first has already been produced
small series also in rusty and polished steel, it is the sixth work that
the Italian artist dedicates himself to Hugging, a fundamental theme for him in personal growth
and in communication with the rest of the world, which allowed him to be recognized
for the year 2023 “Single Ambassador for the World Day (the National
Hugging Day), an international anniversary which falls every January 21st and which is remembered by
1986.
Entering the national pavilion of Cameroon, the country with which the artist is planning to
set up an artistic and social project linked to the Embrace Project for 2024/2025,
those present will be able to admire the physical sculpture with their own eyes and, framing it with the
their smartphone, they will be able to enter the fantastic digital world connected to it: pieces
of digitally reproduced sculptures and imaginary scenarios surround one version
digital which aims to enter into symbiosis with the physical version and increase its contents.

BEYOND KINETIC ART

“Experiencing a work of art in Augmented Reality allows the artist to blend art together
static contemporary and digital kinetic art, where the latter is no longer needed
the limitations given by the physical world” continues Cesare Catania: “Kinetic art in this
way is no longer the point of arrival of artistic production but becomes the starting point
on which to base a project that first of all wants to be emotional. When you find yourself
in front of a Phygital sculpture you know what you see but you don’t yet know what awaits you.
The importance of this project lies in the fact that it highlights the very assumption that man
he is born gifted with fantasy and imagination. Rationality is a component that takes over
in a second phase. The digital world in some way therefore helps us to become children again…”

DEDICATED SOFTWARE AND ART FOR EVERYONE

The project that Cesare Catania proposes for the 2024 Venice Art Biennale does not end here.
In fact, visitors can choose, again via their smartphone, to create
personally your own digital version of the Embrace sculpture, thanks to a
dedicated software developed by the Italian artist that allows you to live
a unique immersive experience.
Through this software, which the Italian artist will present on the occasion of the opening
of the Venice Biennale, it is possible to create your own version of the famous Catania sculpture using dozens of materials present in nature and even exporting your own version of the Embrace in high definition, complete with a joint signature of the artist and the visitor. The final result is a “Collective Version” of a unique version sculpture
digital according to the principle so dear to Catania.
“For me it is important to know that whoever has decided to join this initiative has
contributed not only to creating his own “Embrace” but also to supporting the idea of an Art
Democratic and at the same time the Embrace Project. Art must be for everyone. It must be observed, ‘felt’ and experienced.”

NOT JUST ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The artistic and digital configurator developed by Cesare Catania on the occasion
of the opening of the Venice Biennale allows you to set your own digital embrace
in urban, naturalistic or futuristic settings chosen by the artist on image portals
free copyright rather than having them generated for example by artificial intelligence. “Today, yes
it uses artificial intelligence a lot, which is certainly a very useful tool. I have it too
it uses artificial intelligence a lot, which is certainly a very useful tool. I also used it in the post-production of the images and backgrounds of my configurator but I used it in the post-production of the images and backgrounds of my configurator but I expressed in this phase to give space to art and photography enthusiasts expressed in this phase to give space to art and photography enthusiasts who have made their work available for free on the web. We are in an era where we ask ourselves whether we can make our work available for free on the web. We are in an era where we ask ourselves whether the machine can partially or completely replace man. I firmly believe the machine can partially or completely replace man. I firmly believe in the harmony of the parts without one prevailing over the other” in the harmony of the parts without one prevailing over the other” Cesare Catania concludes..

WHERE

Pavilion of the Republic of Cameroon
c/o Palazzo Donà dalle Rose
Fondamente Nove, 5038, 30121 Venice

WHEN

From 20 April to 24 November 2024

OPENING TIME

Every day from 10am to 8pm

Press Review on the Exhibition and the Venice Biennale

Here below are some of the most important articles and media reviews on Cesare Catania’s presence at the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale. Opinions, interviews and insights.

Rainews24 - April 17, 2024

Democratic Art, Venice Biennale, Artificial Intelligence, and much more in Cesare Catania’s interview with Rainews24 on 17 April 2024

RTL102.5

Democratic Art, Venice Biennale, Artificial Intelligence, and much more in Cesare Catania’s interview with RTL 102.5 on 17 April 2024

Rainews24 - April 20, 2024

Democratic Art, Venice Biennale, Artificial Intelligence in-depth analysis of the digital sculpture software developed by Cesare Catania also thanks to artificial intelligence. Interview first aired on April 20, 2024

Artuu Magazine

Cesare Catania among the most anticipated Italians at the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale

Il Messaggero - Revenews Art

Cesare Catania among the most anticipated Italians at the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale

Hello! Turkiye Magazine

Cesare Catania among the most anticipated Italians at the 60th edition of the Venice Biennale

Further Press information

Press review on the'
Embrace project

Art against Discrimination

“…discriminations obscure. They are preconceptions, often wrong, with which a human being has a preconception in reference to another human being or to an idea…” (Cesare Catania – excerpt from Rai interview)

Art as a means of Democracy

“…Art is the means through which the artist spreads a message of equality…” (Cesare Catania – Rai interview excerpt)

CESARE CATANIA at the 60th International Art Exhibition in Venice

Title of the ArtWork"The Embrace Phy Version"

... a Sculpture born in the Physical World and amplified in the Digital World ...

VIDEO TUTORIAL

THE PROJECT TOLD AND EXPLAINED BY THE ARTIST CESARE CATANIA

from 20 April to 24 November 2024 inside the National Pavilion of Cameroon the sculpture entitled “The Phy Version Embrace”, a work of art that is both physical and digital

A jump into the Phygital World

Discover the Embrace in Augmented Reality! Frame the physical work and travel with your imagination!

Sculpture for Everyone

Sculpt your Embrace and share it with your friends!

Play with Art

Art for Everyone

"The Embrace"

Collective Version

From Art to Artistic Movement

The Embrace in the Real World

The Embrace Project

2023 Unique World Ambassador for National Hugging Day

Art as a means to do good in an ethical way

The Embrace at the Cinema

The Cinematographic Work of Art: an Extreme Take on Kinetic Art

Official Trailer of "The Imagination of a Child"

Cesare Catania

The First Embrace: The A Version

The Child that is in each of us

The Complete Embraces Collection

“The Imagination of a Child”

Artistic Sketch – “The Embrace” (F Version)

Ninetyeight – “The Embrace (G Version)”

Artwork 90 – The Embrace (E Version)

Artwork 91 – The Embrace (F Version)

EightyEight and EightyNine – “The Embrace” (C and D Version)

Forty-Eight – “The Embrace (B Version)”

Seventeen – “Embrace” A Version

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Venice60th International Art Exhibition

“AN EMBRACE FOR ALL”

The artist Cesare Catania - among the official voices of the Pavilion of the Republic of Cameroon - presents the Phygital version, physical and digital together, of the sculpture "L'Abbraccio" in Venice

“Collectiveversion” of a single large sculpture intended for everyone, software created specifically for the involvement of the public and “Art for Everyone”. This is how Cesare Catania debuts at the 2024 Venice Art Biennale

TIMELESS SCULPTURE

PHYSICAL WORLD AND DIGITAL WORLD

BEYOND KINETIC ART

DEDICATED SOFTWARE AND ART FOR EVERYONE

NOT JUST ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

WHERE

WHEN

OPENING TIME

Press Review on the Exhibition and the Venice Biennale

Rainews24 - April 17, 2024

RTL102.5

Rainews24 - April 20, 2024

Artuu Magazine

Il Messaggero - Revenews Art

Hello! Turkiye Magazine

Press review on the'Embrace project

Art against Discrimination

Art as a means of Democracy

… and now discover the other works of art by Cesare Catania …

or discover the artist’s artworks divided according to his artistic expression

… and if you want to know everything about his“most famous artworks”, scroll the slider below…

or return to the main menu

CESARE CATANIA
at the 60th International Art Exhibition in Venice

Title of the ArtWork
"The Embrace Phy Version"

Official Trailer of
"The Imagination of a Child"

The First
Embrace: The A Version

Press review on the'
Embrace project

… and now
discover the other works of art
by Cesare Catania …

… and if you want to know everything about his
“most famous artworks”,
scroll the slider below…

or
return to the main menu