"Painting 40 meters in the air, suspended by a rope and with an unstable canvas, was an exhilarating way to push my boundaries and challenge my my inner child skills as a painter."
5.15d LOOK DOWN / Art Performance
5.15 LOOK DOWN (2021) is an art performance in which painting is created through a bodily sport discipline.
The artwork was produced during a live action on a rock wall, with the artist suspended by a rope at approximately 40 meters above ground.
The resulting painting depicts a falling climber. The safety rope transforms into an umbilical cord, connecting the human body to an organic, post-human form. The image reflects a moment of suspension between control and loss, birth and transformation.
Developed during the Covid period, the performance addresses themes of isolation, physical presence and shared risk, reactivating the body as a relational space. The work marks the beginning of a series of art performances in which the creative process moves outside the studio and becomes a collective experience.
5.15 LOOK DOWN is conceived as an installation composed of the physical painting and the original video documentation of the performance. Painting and video coexist as inseparable elements of a single work, activating the viewer’s imagination and triggering new possibilities of creative thinking.
I have always been fascinated by heights, and I have always loved the challenge of learning new things. So, when I had the opportunity to paint 40 meters in the air, I jumped at the chance. I knew that it would be a challenge, but I was also confident that it would be a rewarding experience.
I spent weeks preparing for the performance. I practiced painting with a rope and harness, and I worked on developing techniques for painting on an unstable surface. I also worked on developing a concept for the performance. I wanted to create a painting that would capture the feeling of being suspended in the air, and the sense of freedom and possibility that comes with being at such a high altitude.
On the day of the performance, I was nervous but excited. I knew that I was ready for the challenge. I climbed to the top of the 40-meter wall and began to paint. The wind was whipping at my face, and the canvas was swaying in the breeze, but I was able to focus on my painting. I lost myself in the creative process, and the hours flew by.
When I finished the painting, I was exhausted but exhilarated. I had pushed myself to my limits, and I had created something truly unique. The painting was a reflection of my personal journey, and it was a celebration of my passion for painting and for heights.
I am grateful for the opportunity to have created this performance/canvas. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and it has helped me to grow as a painter and as a person. I hope that my work will inspire others to push their boundaries and to pursue their passions.
Luca
