Davide Bertocchi opens up a universe of possibilities. For his current show at Galerie Pangée titled Empirical Resolution Attempts, Bertocchi presents part of his ongoing project Spazio (Space), as well as a selection of sculptural pieces, all exploring the realm of astronomy.

The work Spazio, started in 1999, consists of over 2,000 computer-generated images of imaginary planets and other celestial objects, all invented by the artist. A myriad of brightly coloured objects are printed on glossy photo paper and installed directly on the gallery wall in tight grid. The expanse of the universe stretches out before you as you step close to examine the various moons and planets, comets, asteroids, galaxies and star clusters. For the exhibition at Pangée, Bertocchi installed 1260 prints from his catalogue of imaginary objects, though by now he has created more than twice as many. Full disclosure: I’m an avid amateur astronomer, so for me this is a bit of “astro-porn”. Though Bertocchi created all images from scratch, I did recognize the inspiration he may have drawn from the Messier Catalogue and the Voyager and Galileo probes. I wondered about the parameters he imposed on his inventions. “My starting point is the aesthetics,” said the artist at the vernissage,”I focus more on what the planets may look like than any specific data. All objects I create are possible worlds. Until we discover other places in the universe and see what they actually look like, these all remain possible.” And why are the prints in such a small format? “This way they look more scientific to me. They remind me of illustrations in an astronomy book, or an encyclopedia of the universe.”

Bertocchi is not only interested in the visual appearance of his imaginary places. His sculptural pieces include the element of sound, a reference to the “Harmony of the Spheres,” symbolized by vinyl records which are integrated in his works. They also double as event horizons, gravitational fields, orbits. This is elegantly expressed in the chromed stainless steel sculpture Alpha & Omega (the Chicken-And-Egg-Problem), where a 12″ vinyl record slices through the round end of an egg, creating an enigmatic hybrid object.

Bertocchi’s work extends the limit of science by replacing data with creativity. Proof that the universe is expanding.

Galerie Pangée, space 412
Davide Bertocchi
Empirical Resolution Attempts
November 16, 2011 – February 18, 2012
www.galeriepangee.com