2nd Prize – Contemporary Creation Call 2013

Creation – Léo Chiachio, Argentine artist born in 1969, living and working in Argentina (Buenos Aires), and Daniel Giannone, Argentine artist born in 1964, living and working in Argentina. Weaving – Atelier A2, Aubusson Low-warp tapestry, cotton warp, wool weft Dimensions: 3m H x 5m W

Léo Chiachio and Daniel Giannone are an artist couple, inspired by their shared life, which they depict in colorful and sophisticated embroidered textile works, combining baroque, kitsch, and popular styles. Both are skilled embroiderers, and they are well-known in South America. Many of their works have even been gifted to their dog Piolin, who is, in fact, the owner of a museum, the Mupi Museo Piolin.

This jubilant tapestry is inspired by Latin American imagination, particularly from the Guarani culture, the forest, and imbued with magical realism, reminiscent of the literary works of Argentine author Julio Cortázar or Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

As is often the case in their works, the two artists depict themselves at the center, here wearing masks and feathers inspired by the Guarani culture, accompanied by their dog Piolin, the family’s model. Nature is portrayed as exuberant, teeming with life, and adorned with jewels, which for the artists serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting it. The work is fully immersed in the tradition and history of the Aubusson verdure tapestries.