Filippo Sciascia understands Bali in the midst of change. He not only enjoys the static traditions of Bali, he also observes its dynamics of change. Sciascia's Series of Kadek (Series of a Woman) presents a dynamic portrait of a young Balinese woman. Sciascia clearly comes from a generation of European artists different from those who first visited Bali in earlier periods, such as Antonio Blanco, for example. The difference can be seen in his techniques and medium of expression. Sciascia is not just interested in painting on canvas, he also works with a variety of other media, including photography and video.

As we know, the medium of photography? then the advent of digital video — has resulted in imagery and idioms radically different from those of painting. Even the idioms of photography and video are different one from another, not only due to the precision achieved in recording reality, but most pronouncedly from the aspect of the logic of the working process. If a painting is the totality of a number of various sensory sensations that are created by the painter, visual imagery - images achieved through photography or digital video technology - is capable of taking these sensory sensations beyond even the limits of the awareness of the artist. The visual recorder is a kind of "middleman"? with a mechanical way of working (in the case of photography) or a digital way of working (in the case of video) that separates the object observed/copied with the apparatus by its operator (the artist) and the image that results from this process. The image is no longer fully within the power of the influence of the creator, it emerges as a consequence of an unexpected and indefinable sensation.

In Sciascia's work, Series of Kadek (Series of a Woman), the portrait of the young Balinese woman undergoes a number of various changes as a result of the processing of the medium used. The result is a recording of different idioms from one sole object. In this case, the portrait of the Balinese girl does not just give an overview or passing impression of an individual, but becomes a chain of images or portraits that transcend the individual. As a consequence, the assumptions made on the basis of an identity - in this case that of a Balinese girl or woman - remain open to interpretation of meaning.

What is most interesting about this piece, Series of Kadek (Series of a Woman), is that the effort to explore an individual identity cannot be done through a rapid process of assumption. Valuable choices exist to be made. An identity, however you define it, limits the gesture of our thinking. The establishment of a specific and lasting identity constitutes the imposition of a value system or stereotyping. Sciascia, with the medium and idiom of his choice, attempts to eliminate the assumptions and stereotypes relating to the image of a Balinese girl. Indeed, he does not state the specific definition of identity he has in mind, he leaves a whole lot of space for the individual existence and the filling in of meaning. Actually, this work is not only about a woman who is living and passing through a specific segment of time, but rather it is also about the culture she believes in.

Rizki A. Zaelani

Born on 1972 in Palma Di Montechiaro, Italy.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
1998 Doveva Accadere I. La Meridiana. Modena. Italy; Doveva Accadere II. Sergio Tossi Arte Contemporarenea. Italy.
1999 Visuto Immaginato Visto. Grafio Gallery. Prato. Italy.
2000 Heads + Sumba Vision. Gaya Gallery. Ubud. Bali; Nuova Arte Segno. Cannaviello. Udine. Italy.
2003 "Frame of Mind", Antonio battaglia arte contemporanea. Milan.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1998 Cronaca Vera. Spazio Consolo. Milano.
1999 Il Nuovo Ritratto. Spazio Consolo. Milano. Italy.
2000 40 x 40, - Barone Arte Contemporanea Bari. In collaboration with Studio d'arte Cannavielo.
2001 Corte Delle Giare. Parma. Italy. In collaboration with Studio d'arte Cannavielo; "FIGURARE", Gaya Fusion of Senses, Ubud; "PATTERNS OF IDENTITY", Komaneka Gallery, Ubud, Bali.
2002 Several exhibitions at Gaya Fusion of Senses Gallery, Ubud - Zento Video, Total Living; A Nudo, Antonio Battaglia Arte Contemporanea. Milan.

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