Home » Peppe Pizzenti, the “heir” of Arturo Di Modica tells his teacher

Peppe Pizzenti, the “heir” of Arturo Di Modica tells his teacher

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Vittoria (Ragusa) – He lived in the shadow of the master for twenty years, now for Peppe Pizzenti, 53 springs, the time has come to live with his own light. Inherit the artistic witness left by Arturo Di Modica. For Arturo and Vittoria, where he lives and works in via Torino number 77, a sort of miniature “Verrocchio’s workshop”. Yes and no 10 square meters with a wooden mezzanine that adds more space. A small room full of work tools of all sizes, and then stone sculptures already complete and others in progress, a souvenir-sized clay bull, hanging paintings and sketches to be completed everywhere.

The messy treasure of an artist who paints, sculpts wood and stone without differences, manipulates clay and melts steel and bronze alike. A complete artist. Strictly naive, as the greats pride themselves on being. To keep him company while he creates his art, a very lively Yorkshire and some very pleasant jazz music in the background. “Do you mind if I smoke?” – he pressed while he rolls paper and tobacco before telling us about his life, that of Arturo Di Modica and how they both met.

– The professor. Barbante said that only she in Vittoria can be considered the heir of Arturo Di Modica. Did he tell the truth?

“Professor Barbante is too good. Maestro Di Modica gave me the love for art. For 22 years we have lived artistically together. He was the architect of himself, I discreetly respected his method and his experience. I’ve been following his big dream ever since we met ”.

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-And then let’s start from the first meeting …

“It was the year of the Jubilee, 2000. I had received from a private individual the commission to create a statue of Padre Pio to be placed in the Ippari valley. Arturo came to see my work thanks to prof. Arcangelo Pisani and Carmela Gallenti. He had recently returned to Vittoria to build the Renaissance school. He knew I was self-taught. He looked at my work and said, “You will be my assistant.” After 5, 6 months he called me to his facility, a garage on the Gela street that he had inherited from his parents, and we began to dig a tunnel ”.

-How do you become Arturo Di Modica?

“I don’t think there is a recipe for becoming someone. What counts is the temperament and personal tenacity, the possibilities that each of us has, the opportunities and difficulties. In those years there was a lot of effervescence and he believed in himself. He made many sacrifices but left us his dream as an inheritance ”.

– Have you ever been to America with him?

“Never. Arturo was very jealous of his work. He went to look after his interests, he never gave away his experience to anyone. I stayed in Vittoria, I worked inside the structure for the square of the first fruits ”.

-What character did he have? Extravagant and provocative for sure, but was he also gruff?

“No. If I was able to be comfortable with him, it was because he wasn’t gruff. Yes, he was jealous of his things and his life. But he had the noble thought of creating something for the city and this made him very human beyond any scheme of superiority. He was easy-going, a sandwich was enough for him, to be on construction sites, a very simple person. After so many successful years, he had the desire to do something for Vittoria’s story, to create an eternal flow ”.

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Let’s go back to her. After 22 years of apprenticeship at the master’s court, the time is ripe to continue his commitment …

“We cannot reckon without the host. What will the family do? The daughter will have to give a signal regarding the continuation of this project. Everyone knows the will of the master, I cannot do anything alone, there is a need for staff, funds, public and private synergy “.

-Do you think the family is in favor of realizing Arturo’s dream?

“I can’t answer this question. I was arguing only with Arturo, we did not have the opportunity to speak with the family. If Arturo has left anything that delineates the passing of the baton, I am here. I have embraced this project for 22 years ”.

-Do you think the city of Vittoria gave little, enough or a lot to Arturo?

“Not enough. I hope you realize what we have lost. Arturo was already at his peak and they had not realized that this great project of his could influence not only the city, but the whole province and the region. Everyone could have done something more. Even if he didn’t want interference, because he loved doing everything by himself “.

-It is time for politics and elections. What should politics do for Di Modica today?

“Simply deliver on what it’s promising now. Passing from words to deeds ”.

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