"What's about to happen is the realization of our dream." Claire Nivola smiles elegantly as she answers us in her Boston home. Her joy is palpable, after this result that feels like a testament to her father Costantino. An unforgettable artist from Oran, his boundless output will soon be exhibited at the Milan Triennale.
How are you experiencing this approach to the major Milanese exhibition, scheduled from November to February?
With great emotion, without a doubt. Our family had always thought about holding a major exhibition dedicated to my father's work. The goal was precisely this: a retrospective that could truly reveal his entire oeuvre. Yes, the variety of materials he used, his workmanship. He had incredible flexibility. However, although his work encompasses a wealth of themes, some things always recur: humanity, family, the men and women of Sardinia. I would call these "primordial" aspects.
Who really was Costantino Nivola?
First of all, I'd say two things: my father was authentic, immediate, and present; second, he was a realist. I'm keen to emphasize this because he was born into poverty. He certainly didn't think the world was all beautiful and problem-free. At the same time, however, he had a passion for art, a sort of tool for transforming this somewhat gray reality into something romantic and poetic. In every home we lived in, he always tried to create a beautiful place. He applied the same approach to the table: few ingredients but great dishes. Costantino Nivola was an excellent cook. Then, obviously, with art, this way of understanding life reached its pinnacle. For example, he took clay and wood with the aim of transforming them into something interesting.
Orani continues to invest in Pergola Village. That is, white houses, embellished with blue skirting boards and vines. What vision inspired that project?
My father said a lot about this topic. In his poor past, there were many virtues that were later abandoned. Well, he thought about street life, community relationships, and village life. With Pergola Village, his idea was to connect the homes and the people. This year, Orani was the hottest town in Italy: from this, you can understand why my father's idea was undoubtedly a good one. He had a dream: to restore the quality of life, and the relationships, that once existed.
A pivotal figure of transatlantic modernism. Why was art a shared responsibility for Costantino Nivola?
He was making "public art," so he felt he had an obligation: to create something in harmony with the community. In short, he felt responsible to the locals, to the places where he worked. This aspect was very important to him.
Now, what do you dream of, aside from the Triennale, to remember and enhance the legacy of this extraordinary artist?
"A book in English. That way, even in the United States, it can be remembered in the best possible way."
Gianfranco Locci
