The myth of the American Beauty shines in Padova
The exhibition American Beauty at the Altinate San Gaetano Cultural Center in Padua is an extraordinary journey into the heart of the United States, intertwining the myth of American beauty with 20th-century figurative art. This event, scheduled from September 13, 2023, to January 21, 2024, is organized by Artika in collaboration with the Municipality of Padua and Kr8te and passionately curated by Daniel Buso.
Art, culture, and the symbolism of “American Beauty” converge in an exhilarating exploration of the many facets of America. This extraordinary rose was known in the late 19th century in the United States as the “million-dollar rose.” The name reflected the prohibitive cost of 2 dollars for each rose with its long and elegant stem, a luxury that many could not afford. Even the legendary director Alfred Hitchcock sent huge bouquets of these roses to Vera Miles to convince her to act in his films, underscoring the irresistible charm of this iconic rose.
America embraced this rose affectionately, renaming it “American Beauty,” and it became the best-selling rose in the United States in the 1920s. This hybrid never achieved the same popularity elsewhere, but its impact and allure remained etched in the collective imagination.
The exhibition pays tribute to “American Beauty” in all its facets, including references in music, literature, and even cinema. Frank Sinatra sings of its beauty in the song “American Beauty Rose” from 1950, while Joseph Heller in the novel “Catch-22” describes an incident involving this captivating rose. The renowned film “American Beauty” (winner of an Oscar in 1999) takes its name from this iconic rose and uses the symbolism of its petals as a central element in its narrative.
The exhibition offers a deep dive into visual art, from black and white images by masters like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Diane Arbus, and Elliott Erwitt to colorful works by contemporary artists such as Steve McCurry, Vanessa Beecroft, and Annie Leibovitz. The journey unfolds through the creations of Pop Art masters and brushes against Street Art, culminating in the anarchist revolts depicted in Banksy’s murals.
The sections of the exhibition, carefully curated by Daniel Buso, address crucial themes representing the United States, such as patriotism, international relations, and domestic conflicts. The exhibition concludes with a focus on the current “Black Lives Matter” movement, providing an in-depth perspective on the contradictions that permeate American society.
“American Beauty” is a compelling narrative that gives voice to some of the protagonists of international art and celebrates an enduring icon of American culture. The exhibition begins with the iconic image of Joe Rosenthal capturing the moment when a group of Marines raised the flag at Iwo Jima, offering an authentic glimpse into the American spirit. Despite some controversies regarding its authenticity, the image became a global success and was employed for propagandistic purposes, earning Rosenthal the prestigious Pulitzer Prize.
“American Beauty” is an experience that captures the complexity of the United States, from its beauty to its apparent fragility, and offers profound reflections on American society, highlighting both its hidden and evident contradictions. The exhibition represents a unique opportunity to explore the soul of a nation that has influenced the world over the past century. You should absolutely not miss it.
