The petroglyphs of the Rio Negro, in the Brazilian Amazon, reemerged during the 2023 drought, revealing faces that may be over two thousand years old. These rock engravings, carved into stone, gained new significance as they became a symbol of the climate crisis, reflecting concerns about the planet’s future. In Monticelli’s work, commissioned for the 14th Mercosul Biennial, these images are transformed into neon lights and displayed in empty boxes. If, in the past, these carved faces held sacred meanings or conveyed important messages, in Zé Ninguém, within the context of art, the digital world, and consumer culture, they become images of an era of rapid changes and uncertainty.
In his practice, Monticelli transforms the everyday by reimagining spaces, objects, and materials, exploring both domestic and collective contexts. His works move fluidly between different mediums, including installation, objects, and photography, without being confined to a single technique, offering new perspectives on environments and their dynamics.
Daniele Alana
Ismael Monticelli (Brazil, 1987) is a multimedia artist interested in conducting long-term artistic research. His work explores the intersection between art, history, and fiction, delving into the utopias and dystopias of a time marked by events and failures. He holds a PhD in Contemporary Art and Culture from UERJ. He won the 7th Marcantonio Vilaça National Industry Award and received the ProHelvetia Grant for Residency for South American Artists, held at La Becque Residence D'artistes, La Tour-de-Peilz/Switzerland. He had solo exhibitions in Brazil and participated in several group exhibitions in Brazil and other countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, and Singapore. He lives in Brasília, Brazil.
