Massimo Bartolini

Massimo Bartolini was born in 1962 in Cecina, in the province of Livorno, where he lives and works. He uses in his work different techniques such as photography, video, performance, installation and the realization of interventions able to transform the initial spacemanipulating light, sound, smell, and architecture to create disorienting experiences.

In his works, Bartolini is interested in experimenting with expectations, relativity, and assumptions of what is fixed versus in flux; these themes become metaphors for imagination, memory, nostalgia, and obsession.

His best known works are immersive installations, often sensual, that induce in the viewer an heightened awareness or meditation that is still highly experiential, making us reflect on the relativity of what is stable and unchangeable.

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Available works

Artworks

Massimo Bartolini

In là (Organo)

2022
Aluminium tubes, clamps, egg tempera on wood, heads, motors, toothed cylinder
Variable dimensions

Massimo Bartolini

Dew

2022
Aluminium, metallic paint, dew
100 x 100 cm

Massimo Bartolini

La Strada di Sotto

2013-2022
Street lights, single channel video
Installation view at Chiostro del Bramante, Rome
Dimensions variable

Massimo Bartolini

Rugiada

2020
Enamel on aluminium
213 x 153 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Caudu e Fridu

2018
Neon light, wires, transformers
150 x 35 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Caudu e Fridu

2018
Site-specific installation at Palazzo Oneto di Sperlinga
Non-functioning street lights
Dimensions variable

Massimo Bartolini

Pensive Bodhisattva

2017
Enamel on galvanized iron, hydraulic motor, electronic control unit, bronze
250 x 500 x 500 cm
Installation view at Magazzino

Massimo Bartolini

Do (der tiefe Ton)

2017
Enamel on wood, fan motor, nylon fabric
Environmental dimensions
Organ pipe: 342 x 25 x 25 cm
Canvas: 95 x 69 cm
Installation view at Magazzino

Massimo Bartolini

My Seventh Homage: La montaigne

2016
Charcoal-retouched photographic print on Hahnemühle paper
4 elements, each 32 x 32 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Il Glossatore Ignoto

2017
Inkjet prints on poster paper, serene stone pedestals, photocopies
4 elements, 106 x 69 cm each
Pedestals 21 x 30 x 20 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Otra Fiesta, 2013

2013
Scaffolding, windchest, gear wheel, fan, wood, engine
Dimensions variable
Installation view at Fondazione Merz

Massimo Bartolini

Maracas

2017
Maracas, brushes, engine, metal pole
145 x 45 cm ø
Installation view at Fondazione Merz

Massimo Bartolini

Voyelles, 2017

2017
Organ pipes, lead pipes, fan, electronic unit
Dimensions variable (approx. 220 x 220 cm)
Installation view at Fondazione Merz

Massimo Bartolini

In a Landscape

2017
Wood, fan, wind-chest, engine, chimes
125 x 190 x 14 cm
Installation view at Fondazione Merz

Massimo Bartolini

In a Landscape

2017
Wood, fan, wind-chest, engine, chimes
125 x 190 x 14 cm
Installation view at Fondazione Merz

Massimo Bartolini

Corrimano

2017
18kt gold necklace and supports
ø 2,5mm x 23 cm each
Dimensions variable

Massimo Bartolini

Dew

2016
Enamel on aluminum
35 x 35 cm and 35 x 54 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Dew

2016
Enamel on aluminum
35 x 54 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Dew

2016
Enamel on aluminum
35 x 54 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Left Page, Right Page

2016
Alabaster
Two elements, each 29,7 x 21 x 1 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Manca Anima

2016
Neon
10 x 60 x 3 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Untitled (Airplane)

2016
Bardiglio Imperiale marble
120.5 x 28 x 20 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Toscano

2016
Cigar, vacuum pump, mouthpiece
10 x 80 x 19.5 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Georgius

2015 – 2016
Bardiglio Imperiale marble, paint, wood, metal
161 x 300 x 95.5 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Revolutionary Monk

2015
Bronze, motor
Installation view at Museo Marino Marini

Massimo Bartolini

Senza Titolo

2007
Pietraforte
Installation view at Marino Marini museum, Florence, 2015

Massimo Bartolini

20 Ottobre, 27 Novembre

2014
Photographic print on Hahnemühle paper
30 elements, each 9 x 6 cm
Frame 71 x 51 cm
Detail

Massimo Bartolini

273 Hours

2014
Graphite on paper laid on canvas
320 x 270 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Corrimano

2014
Galvanized iron, silver alloy trumpet mouthpieces shells
550 x 80 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Corrimano

2014
Galvanized iron, silver alloy trumpet mouthpieces shells
550 x 80 cm
Detail

Massimo Bartolini

Bets Machine

2014
Lights, speakers, electronic unit
Dimensions variable

Massimo Bartolini

Due

2013
Bronze
Variable dimensions
Installation view at the Italian Pavilion in the 55th Venice Biennale

Massimo Bartolini

Due

2013
Bronze
Variable dimensions
Installation view at the Italian Pavilion in the 55th Venice Biennale

Massimo Bartolini

La Strada di Sotto

2013
Street lights, single-channel video
Dimensions variable
Installation view at The Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, GB

Massimo Bartolini

Cameo (Studio matters)

2008-2012
Clay
19,5 x 16,5 x 3 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Untitled (Wave)

1997-2012
Pool, motor, water, barley
400 x 700 x 110 cm
Installation view at Documenta 13, 2012

Massimo Bartolini

Dew

2009
Enamel on aluminium
50 x 75 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Three Quarter-Tone Pieces

2009
Wood, fan motors, lights, IR detector
Installation view at Magazzino, Rome, 2009

Massimo Bartolini

Ouverture per Pietro

2006
Lamp, microphone and stand, audio track

Massimo Bartolini

Sala F

2009
Site-specific installation, Central Pavilion, Venice Biennal

Massimo Bartolini

Untitled (airplane)

2009
Ink on paper
100 x 69 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Organi

2008
Scaffolding, electronic fan, carillon
Dimensions variable

Massimo Bartolini

25 aprile 1936

2008
Scaffolding, Zumtobel headlights
Installation view at Maxxi, Rome

Massimo Bartolini

Bartolini, Until it breaks

2007
Ink on paper
164 x 154 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Annunicazione

2007
Film on glass
Site-specific installation

Massimo Bartolini

34 Orizzonti con Scena Erotica

2007
Pencil on paper
70 x 100 cm

Massimo Bartolini

A Bench

2006
50 x 1200 x 1200 cm
Site-specific installation, Art Public, Art 37 Basel 2006

Massimo Bartolini

O som também…

2003-2004
Laser-cut plexiglas
450 x 900 cm
Site-specific installation, XXVI Biennal de São Paulo

Massimo Bartolini

Out of the Meeting

2001-2003
Table with isograph, color fotograph
170 x 100 x 150 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Tamburo

2002
Wood, iron, walnuts
Dimensions variable
Site-specific installation, Magazzino, Rome

Massimo Bartolini

Tamburo

2002
Wood, iron, walnuts
Dimensions variable
Site-specific installation, Magazzino, Rome

Massimo Bartolini

Mixing Parfums

2000
Revolving door, lights, scents
Dimensions variable
Installation view at Maxxi, Rome

Massimo Bartolini

Cezanne’s Leave

2000
C-Print on aluminium
120 x 180 cm

Massimo Bartolini

Head

1997
Wood, fiberglass, radio, table with solar panel, sound device
550 x 525 x 295 cm
Site-specific installation, British School in Rome

Massimo Bartolini

Head

1997
Wood, fiberglass, radio, table with solar panel, sound device
550 x 525 x 295 cm
Site-specific installation, British School in Rome

Exhibitions

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Highlights