Luigi Serafini

Bio:

Luigi Serafini was born in Rome on August 4^th 1949. He is Italian artist, designer and architect. 

 

He is best known for:

Serafini is best known for his work called “Codex Seraphinianus”, which is an illustrated encyclopedia of imaginary things, in very creative way. Codex Seraphinianus was published in 1981 by Franco Maria Ricci from Milan. 

 

His work:

During 1980's Luigi worked as a designer and architect in Milan. He created scenery, lightening and costumes for the ballet “The Jazz Calendar” by Frederick Ashton at Teatro Alla Scala. He worked at the Piccolo Teatro di Milano. Luigi did several designs for RAI television. He worked with Federico Fellini on La voce della luna. In 1984 Luigi illustrated Pulcinellopedia by P. Cetrulo which was published by Longanesi. It was pencil illustration but this edition is very rare and it is difficult to find . 

 

What is Luigi doing now a days?:

He tours and gives personal exhibitions in Holland and he also participates in art collectives. In 2003 he finished a polychrome Bronze sculpture called, “Carpe Diem” and “Mater Dei”. Few years later in May of 2007 he held an Ontological exhibition, “Luna Pac” in Milan, at the Pailion of Contemporary art in Milan. Luigi Serafini exhibited at the “Fondazione Mudima” in Milan, the “XIII Quadriennale” (meaning 13 near by entries) in the National Gallery of Modern Art, in Rome. In 2008 he finished a polycrome installation called the “Balancoires sans Frontieres” in Castasegna Switzerland. In 2009 Luigi Serafini illustrate Le Storie Naturali, meaning natural story, which is a reinterpretation of “Les Histoires Naturalles” meaning Natural History. Luigi opened a laboratory of ceramics in Umbria. 

 

Limited copies, different translations:

The Codex Seraphinianus was originally released in a limited edition of 5'000 artsy visual copies in 1981, since then it has been republished 4 times. It has been republished in English language in 1983, then in Spanish, English and French in the 1990's (Each was limited to 5000 copies.) In 2006 it was published once again.

Pulcinellopedia and Codex Seraphinianus inspires:

Tons of other people has been inspired by the Pulcinellopedia. Artist such as Ronald Barthes was very interested in the Codex. Italo Calvino wrote an essay on it in 1984 which could be found in Sand Collection by Mondadori. Douglas Hofstadter wrote about Pulcinellopedia. Philippe Decoufle (French choreographer) was inspired by it along with many others. 

 

Let's talk about Codex Seraphinianus:

Codex Seraphinianus is an encyclopedia of imaginary world, in a parallel world. It is illustrated with water color paintings. It is divided in number of sections and each section has its own table of contents. The Codex is an elaborated parody of the real world. The writing is existent but not meaningful. Codex Seraphinianus is very surreal. You can purchase this book at www.Amazon.com. Price varries depending on edition, and condition of the book. First edition of Serafini's original Codex costs up to $15'000. Each page contains specific entry and annotations. Luigi created it's own alphabet for this encyclopedia. It has been called the weirdest book in the world. Many pictures are very disturbing and frightening in some ways, other pictures are extremely beautiful and visionary. It is filled with images that are full of glory and chaos. Every small detail shifts, slips or shimmers. This book has logic to it, it qualities are pleasing to many different people who are free spirited. It consists of two volumes in its own innovative language, which includes unique numbering system. The drawings are of nature scenes, other types of scenery, machines, creatures, humans, animals, and so on. Luigi Serafini has sections of things like mineralogy, chemistry, gems, geography, botany, sociology, linguistics, physics, architecture, various sports, clothing, zoology, technology, and many many other sections.

What/Who influenced Serafini?

Luigi Serafini is deeply influenced by Voynich Manuscript. Manuscript is believed to be written in about 1400's or 1500's and it was written in mysterious language and accompanied by strange diagrams and pictures. It is believed to be an encyclopedia for an unknown 

world.

WTF moment:

Luigi Serafini has a weird obsession with eggs. 

 

Besides Codex Seraphinianus...:

My favorite artwork that is made by Luigi Serafini has to be “Vietato Vietare” ( meaning Forbidden to Forbid). It was displayed in Milan, Italy at the design week on Wednesday, April 22^nd 2009. The reason this sculpture is my favorite is because, Its very creative. It's a traffic sign for “Do not enter” and the little humans are climbing up the sign and one of person is “entering the sign”. 

 

What do I think about his art...:

I found his artwork to be very vivid, very detailed and fun. I have to agree with scholars and say that Codex Seraphinianus is defiantly playing mind games, because the drawings makes sense, but then right after you are about to connect the drawings to the definition, you end up being at the first step. Its amazing how Luigi Serafini thought out his work, most defiantly it was not at random, it has its special meaning. 

zeee end !